Fewer Cardiopulmonary Complications and Shorter Length of Stay in Anterolateral Thoracolumbar Spine Exposures Using a Small-Incision Specialized Retractor System.

One of the challenges of spine surgery is the need for adequate exposure of the anterolateral spinal column. Improved retractor systems with integrated lighting minimize the need for large thoracotomy, flank, or abdominal incisions. In 2013, we began using the NuVasive MaXcess system via a minimal-access lateral incision for thoracic and thoracolumbar spine exposures.