Full-endoscopic anterior excision of thoracic disc herniations, including giant and calcified discs with spinal cord compression: surgical technique and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Operations on thoracic herniated discs are comparatively rare and often demanding. An individual approach and mastery of different surgical techniques and surgical approaches are necessary. The main factors for the chosen surgical technique and approach are the anatomical localization, consistency of the pathology, the general condition of the patient and the experience of the surgeon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical possibilities and outcomes of the full-endoscopic technique with interlaminar, extraforaminal and transthoracic retropleural approaches in patients with symptomatic herniated discs with anterior neural compression.

METHODS

In 49 patients with thoracic disc herniations, decompression was performed between 2016 and 2020, using a full-endoscopic interlaminar, extraforaminal or transthoracic retropleural approach. Clinical data and imaging were collected during follow-up of 18 months.

RESULTS

Sufficient decompression was achieved in all cases with the full-endoscopic surgical technique. Two patients experienced worsening of myelopathy, one of which was of transient duration, and one patient required reoperation for an epidural hematoma. No other complications were recorded. All other patients experienced a regression or improvement of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The full-endoscopic technique with interlaminar, extraforaminal or transthoracic retropleural approach is a sufficient and minimally invasive method. All three full-endoscopic approaches of the thoracic spine are required to enable sufficient decompression of the anterior pathologies examined here.