Full-Endoscopic Transforaminal Ventral Decompression for Symptomatic Thoracic Disc Herniation with or without...

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation presents surgical challenges, particularly with calcification.
• Traditional open surgery for this condition carries a high risk of complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the imaging and clinical outcomes of a modified full-endoscopic transforaminal ventral decompression technique.
• To assess the feasibility of this minimally invasive approach for thoracic disc herniation.

Main Methods:

• Eleven patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniation underwent the modified full-endoscopic procedure.
• Key techniques included dilator sliding punching and endoscope-monitored foraminoplasty within the "safe triangle zone".
• Outcomes were measured using modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain.

Main Results:

• Postoperative MRI confirmed effective spinal cord decompression.
• Neurological function improved significantly, with mJOA scores rising from 7.4 to 10.2.
• Pain symptoms (thoracic, leg, and radicular) showed marked improvement in all patients, with no observed complications.

Conclusions:

• Modified full-endoscopic transforaminal ventral decompression is a feasible minimally invasive option for thoracic disc herniation.
• This technique may provide an alternative for managing this challenging spinal condition, even with calcification.
• The study highlights the potential for improved outcomes and reduced complications.