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Essentials of Spinal Stabilization pp 195–209Cite as

Posterior Thoracic Spinal Fixation

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Abstract

The posterior approach to the thoracic spine is well established and is the workhorse for many spine surgeons. Posterior thoracic spinal fixation is used to restore spinal stability when its mechanical functions are disrupted by trauma, tumor, infection, degenerative disease, deformity, or surgical management of these disorders. Safe and effective instrumentation of the thoracic spine requires a thorough understanding of its anatomy and biomechanical properties. Complications associated with posterior thoracic spinal instrumentation can be broken down into several main categories: (1) patient positioning, (2) thoracic spine exposure, (3) instrumentation, and (4) postoperative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University Health Neuroscience Center, 355 W. 16th Street, Suite 5100, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Stephen K. Mendenhall MD & Saad A. Khairi MD

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  1. Stephen K. Mendenhall MD
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  2. Saad A. Khairi MD
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Correspondence to Saad A. Khairi MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Langston T. Holly

  2. Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin UWMF, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Paul A. Anderson

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Mendenhall, S.K., Khairi, S.A. (2017). Posterior Thoracic Spinal Fixation. In: Holly, L., Anderson, P. (eds) Essentials of Spinal Stabilization . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59713-3_17

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