[Transthoracic decompression of the spinal cord in herniation of thoracic intervertebral disks]

Hemiation of the thoracic intervertebral disk is a rare pathology causing a severe neurological deficit. Of all the disk hernias, thoracic ones account for less than 1%. Thirty-five patients have been operated on for 12 years, by using the following methods: posterior approach (laminectomy) (n = 2), lateral extrapleural approach (n = 8), anterior (transthoracic) approach (n = 25). Out of the 35 patients operated on, there were 2 patients who felt worse after surgery via posterior approach, 6 patients had no changes, and positive changes were observed in 26 cases. For resection of hernias of the thoracic intervertebral disk, it is necessary to apply either transpleural (for Th(VI)-Th(XII) hernias) or lateral extrapleural (Th(I)-Th(VI)) approaches. Laminectomy is inadmissible.