Spinal motor segment labeling with a mixture of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate and iohexol in determining the level of thoracic spine surgery

Abstract

To develop a safe minimally invasive low-traumatic and cost-effective method for preoperative marking the level of thoracic spine surgery. A mixture of biodegradable adhesive based on cyanoacrylate and water-soluble iodine-containing X-ray contrast agent was used for preoperative marking in 8 patients scheduled for thoracic spine and spinal cord surgery. This mixture was injected into paravertebral tissues at the level of further intervention. Preoperative marking ensured a fixed and clearly visible landmark during intraoperative fluoroscopy in 7 patients. In 1 patient, mixture spread in paravertebral soft tissues that did not allow us to obtain appropriate landmark during intraoperative radiography. The described method makes it possible to create an immobile X-ray-positive «mark» in paravertebral soft tissues, which can be used to control the level of intervention at all surgical stages.