Thoracic disc herniation: operative approaches and results

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Thoracic disc herniation is a rare condition affecting the thoracic spine.
• Surgical intervention is often necessary for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of four different surgical approaches for thoracic disc herniation.
• To analyze clinical presentation, radiological features, and follow-up outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 12 patients with thoracic disc herniation.
• Surgical approaches included laminectomy, posterolateral extrapleural, transthoracic, and transpedicular operations.
• Preoperative radiological diagnosis was crucial for surgical planning.

Main Results:

• Posterolateral and transpedicular approaches were found to be satisfactory.
• The posterolateral approach demonstrated certain advantages over the transpedicular approach.
• At a mean 5-year follow-up, 5 patients were cured, 5 improved, and 1 unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Precise preoperative diagnosis is essential for successful thoracic disc herniation surgery.
• The posterolateral approach is a favorable option for thoracic disc herniation.
• Surgical outcomes for thoracic disc herniation are generally positive, though outcomes can be affected by comorbidities.