[Thoracoscopic interventions in deformities of the thoracic spine]

We prospectively studied 9 patients with deformities of the thoracic spine who underwent thoracoscopic surgery to critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of thoracoscopy.

Seven patients with deformities of the thoracic spine (5 scoliosis, 2 kyphosis) underwent a thoracoscopic release and posterior correction and fusion in a single stage. In one case of a crankshaft-phenomenon a thoracoscopic epiphyseodesis und in another case of a posttraumatic kyphosis a thoracoscopic instrumentation and fusion were performed. The average age was 21 years, the follow-up was 18 months with a minimum of 12 months. The perioperative data including complications were collected and a radiographic analysis concerning curve correction was carried out.

The scoliotic curves measured preoperatively 84 degrees on average with a Cobb angle of 62 degrees on the traction films and were corrected by 57% to averagely 36 degrees at follow-up. In the two cases of Scheuermann kyphosis a preoperative kyphosis of 94 degrees respectively 82 degrees was corrected to 52 degrees respectively 58 degrees. Between 4 and 5 discs were excised with an average operative time of 160 min and a blood loss of 380 ml. A conversion to open thoracotomy was not necessary in any case. There were no intraoperative neurovascular complications.

Thoracoscopic procedures in deformities of the thoracic spine are technically demanding; however, it is a minimally invasive procedure with a reduced approach-related morbidity compared to open thoracotomy. The indications for a thoracoscopic release are rigid kyphosis and scoliosis with rigid curves between 80 and 90 degrees Cobb angle in which an anterior correction and instrumentation alone is not considered.