ArticleActa neurochirurgica2024
Alexis retractor efficacy in transthoracic thoracoscopically assisted discectomy for thoracic disc herniations.
Article in Acta neurochirurgica, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- Anterior versus posterior approaches in thoracic discectomies: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgical review · 2025Pooled it
- Posterior thoracic discectomy and interbody fusion for the correction of severe hyperkyphotic deformity: technical note and case report.Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) · 2026Article
- Personalized Surgical Strategies in Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evaluation of the AlexisJournal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Surgical options in thoracic disc herniation: Evaluating long-term outcomes of 21 cases based on a single-center 10-year experience.Surgical neurology international · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeA transthoracic anterior or lateral approach for giant thoracic disc herniations is a complex operation which requires optimal exposure and maximal visualisation. Traditional metal rigid retractors may inflict significant skin trauma especially with prolonged operative use and limit the working angles of endoscopic instrumentation at depth. We pioneer the use of the Alexis retractor in transthoracic thoracoscopically assisted discectomy for the first time.
methodsThe authors describe and demonstrate the technical use of the Alexis retractor during operative cases. Patient positioning, clinical rationale and operative nuances are elucidated for readers to gain an appreciation of the transthoracic approach to thoracic disc herniations.
resultsThe advantages of the Alexis retractor include minimally invasive circumferential flexible retraction, facilitation of bimanual instrument use, diminished risk of surgical site infections and reduced rib retraction leading to less postoperative pain.
conclusionUse of the flexible and intuitive Alexis retractor maximises operative exposure and is an effective adjunct when performing complex transthoracic approaches for thoracic disc herniations.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.