[Surgical interventions on the vertebral bodies of the thoracic spine (author's transl)]

27 operations on the vertebral bodies of the thoracic spine are reported. Indications for operation included markedly progressive infantile and juvenile scoliosis, correction of severe kyphoses in congenital malformation, fractures, Scheuermann's disease and post-laminectomy as well as tuberculous spondylitis and tumors. The two uppermost thoracic vertebrae can be reached by the method of Southwick and Robinson, the two lowest vertebrae from an extraperitoreal-subdiaphragm approach. Thoracotomy was chosen for the remaining thoracic vertebrae. If the staff and material are available, operations on the thoracic vertebrae can be regarded as relatively safe and, in many cases, are the only possibility for obtaining a satisfactory or good result. In spite of this, strict indications must be observed. Severe complications (death, paraplegia etc.) did not occur in any of the patients.