OBJECTIVESTo define the role of high transthoracic approach in the treatment of cervicothoracic and high thoracic tumor, and analyze the problem encountered during tumor resection and reconstruction of this technique and oncological results of patients who received this type of surgery.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with cervicothoracic and high thoracic tumor (T(1 - 4)) were treated with high transthoracic approach. This series included metastatic tumor 11 patients, eosinophilic granuloma of bone 2 patients, osteosarcoma 1 patient, Ewing's sarcoma 2 patients, chondrosarcoma 2 patients, giant cell tumor 2 patients, lymphoma 1 patient. High transthoracic approach was applied to these patients for tumor resection and spinal cord decompression. Reconstruction method included artificial vertebrae implantation or bone graft implantation combined with anterior internal fixation.

RESULTSChest-back pain of all patients relieved significantly after operation. Paraplegia of 3 patients was improved from grade A to grade D according to Frankel grading system, the other 2 patients recovered completely. Pulmonary infection and pulmonary atelectasis occurred in 2 patients; cerebrospinal fluid leakage happened in 1 patient; thoracic aorta rupture happened in 1 patient. The follow-up period was 11 - 58 months, 9 patients died, including 7 patients with metastatic cancer, 1 patient with Ewing's sarcoma, 1 patient with osteosarcoma.

CONCLUSIONSHigh transthoracic approach is a satisfactory method in dealing with the lesion of cervicothoracic and high thoracic vertebrae, especially with the lesion involving the vertebrae and single vertebral arch. The thoracic canal can be decompressed effectively by this approach.