Lateral Corpectomy for Tumor at L1: A Surgical Technique: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

The thoracolumbar junction is a complex and challenging anatomical region due to its heterogeneous array of planes and structures.1 Navigating this region during a lateral approach to the spine is a challenge that requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman with a 7-year history of breast cancer who presented with low back pain after running a marathon. To date, the patient had deferred medical management. Imaging revealed Stage IV differentiated invasive ductal carcinoma with extensive bony metastatic disease in multiple areas of the spine. The patient underwent a right-sided minimally invasive retrodiaphragmatic approach to the thoracolumbar junction for L1 corpectomy, placement of an expandable cage, and posterior percutaneous pedicle screw segmental fixation from T11 to L3 with robotic guidance. Patient consent was obtained for the following procedure, and IRB approval was not required for publication of this single patient case report.