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Surgical treatment for thoracic disc herniation: an update
1*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY; and †Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Spine
|December 25, 2013
Summary
Recent trends in surgical treatment for thoracic disc herniation (TDH) show increasing popularity of minimally invasive techniques. Defining the surgical level is crucial for successful outcomes in treating this rare but serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is a rare condition often leading to myelopathy, necessitating surgical intervention.
- Anatomically challenging lesions require diverse surgical approaches for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of current trends in the surgical management of thoracic disc herniation (TDH).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review and analysis of existing medical literature.
- Literature search focused on recent advancements and established techniques for TDH surgery.
Main Results:
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques, including thoracoscopic and mini-open approaches, are gaining prominence for TDH.
- Key surgical considerations updated include defining the surgical level, managing calcified/giant discs, addressing multilevel lesions, and determining fusion requirements.
Conclusions:
- Accurate definition of the surgical level is paramount for successful TDH treatment.
- Minimally invasive surgery for TDH demonstrates satisfactory patient outcomes.
- Surgical planning should integrate the type of disc herniation and biomechanical stability assessments.
