Posterolateral Full-Endoscopic Thoracic Foraminotomy for Foraminal Stenosis Causing Radiculopathy: A Report of 3 Cases.

CASE: Three elderly men presented with thoracic radiculopathy secondary to bony thoracic foraminal stenosis. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful, so each underwent posterolateral full-endoscopic thoracic foraminotomy under local anesthesia. Surgical steps included drilling of the lateral part of the facet, clearing of soft tissues in the foramen, and adequate decompression of the exiting nerve root. There were no intraoperative complications, and all patients reported complete resolution of symptoms on follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Thoracic foraminal stenosis is a rare cause of thoracic radiculopathy. Posterolateral full-endoscopic thoracic foraminotomy can be a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of these cases upon failure of conservative treatment.