The Cervico-Parasternal Thoracotomy (CPT): A New Surgical Approach for the Resection of Cervicothoracic Neuroblastomas

Abstract

Cervicothoracic neuroblastomas (NBs) pose unique surgical challenges due to the complexity of the neurovascular structures located in the thoracic inlet. To date, two main techniques have been reported to completely remove these tumours in children: the trans-manubrial and the trap-door approaches. Herein, the authors propose a third new surgical approach that allows a complete exposure of the posterior costovertebral space starting from the retro-clavicular space: Cervico-Parasternal Thoracotomy (CPT). The incision is made along the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle until its sternal insertion, and then the incision proceeds vertically following the ipsilateral parasternal line. The major pectoralis muscle is detached, and the clavicle and the ribs are disarticulated from their sternal insertions. Following an accurate isolation of the major subclavian blood vessels and the brachial plexus roots, the tumour is then completely exposed and resected by switching from a frontal to a lateral view of the costo-vertebral space. By adopting this technique, five cervicothoracic NBs were completely resected in a median operative time of 370 min (range: 230–480 min). By proceeding in safety with the heart apart, neither vascular injuries nor nerve damages occurred, and all patients were safely discharged in a median postoperative time of 11 days (range: 7–14 days). At the last follow-up visit (median: 16 months, range: 13–21 months), all patients were alive and disease-free.