scholarly journals Management of Giant Thoracic Disc Herniation by Thoracoscopic Approach: Experience of 53 Cases

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 658-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Brauge ◽  
Catherine Horodyckid ◽  
Marta Arrighi ◽  
Vincent Reina ◽  
Christophe Eap ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Giant thoracic disc herniation (gTDH) is a rare condition. It is defined by a herniation that occupies at least 40% of the thoracic spinal canal and is usually calcified. Several surgical techniques have been described to date but this surgery remains a technically difficult procedure. OBJECTIVE To report the long-term outcome of 53 patients with myelopathy due to gTDH who were operated on by a thoracoscopic approach. The technical details of the preoperative assessment and the surgical procedure are presented. METHOD We present a retrospective study of a database of 53 patients operated for symptomatic gTDH by a thoracoscopic approach. The following clinical parameters were assessed initially and used during follow-up: Frankel grade and JOA score adapted to the thoracic spine (mJOA), pain in the lower limbs and limitation of the walking perimeter to less than 500 meters. The quality of spinal cord decompression was assessed postoperatively by magnet resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS The mean follow-up was 78.1 mo (SD 49.4). At the last follow-up visit, clinical examination showed a mean improvement of 0.91 Frankel grade (P < 0.001) and 2.56 mJOA score respectively (P < 0.001). Lower limb pain and walking perimeter were also improved. Postoperative MRI revealed that the resection was complete in 35 cases, subtotal in 13 cases, and incomplete in 5 cases. CONCLUSION gTDH is a condition that often evolves favorably after surgery. The thoracoscopic approach is a feasible alternative technique.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Fei Nie ◽  
Kai-Xuan Liu

Thoracic disc herniation is a relatively rare yet challenging-to-diagnose condition. Currently there is no universally accepted optimal surgical treatment for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Previously reported surgical approaches are often associated with high complication rates. Here we describe our minimally invasive technique of removing thoracic disc herniation, and report the primary results of a series of cases. Between January 2009 and March 2012, 13 patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniation were treated with endoscopic thoracic foraminotomy and discectomy under local anesthesia. A bone shaver was used to undercut the facet and rib head for foraminotomy. Discectomy was achieved by using grasper, radiofrequency, and the Holmium-YAG laser. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of the patients using the visual analogue scale (VAS), MacNab classification, and Oswestry disability index (ODI). At the final follow up (mean: 17 months; range: 6–41 months), patient self-reported satisfactory rate was 76.9%. The mean VAS for mid back pain was improved from 9.1 to 4.2, and the mean ODI was improved from 61.0 to 43.8. One complication of postoperative spinal headache occurred during the surgery and the patient was successfully treated with epidural blood patch. No other complications were observed or reported during and after the surgery.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
MURILO TAVARES DAHER ◽  
PEDRO FELISBINO JUNIOR ◽  
ADRIANO PASSÁGLIA ESPERIDIÃO ◽  
BRENDA CRISTINA RIBEIRO ARAÚJO ◽  
ANDRÉ LUIZ PASSOS CARDOSO ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives: To present the clinical and radiographic results of patients with thoracic disc herniation treated by the posterior approach, according to location and type of hernia (à la carte). Methods: We evaluated thirteen patients (14 hernias) treated by the posterior approach. Eight (61.5%) patients were male and the mean age was 53 years (34-81). Clinical evaluation was performed by the Frankel and JOA modified scales. All the patients underwent the posterior approach, which was performed by facetectomy, transpedicular approach, transpedicular + partial body resection, costotransversectomy or costotransversectomy + reconstruction with CAGE. Results: The mean follow-up was 2 years and 6 months (11-77 months). Of the 14 operated hernias, six (43%) were lateral, 2 (14%) paramedian, and 6 (43%) central. Seven were soft (50%) and seven were calcified. The transfacet approach was carried out in 5 cases (36%), transpedicular in 1 case (7%), transpedicular + partial body resection in 4 (29%), costotransversectomy in 3 (21%), and costotransversectomy + CAGE in one case (7%). The majority of patients with lateral hernia (5/6) were subjected to transfacet decompression and in cases of central and paramedian hernias, all patients underwent decompression, which is more extensive. Conclusions: The posterior approach is safe and effective, and the best approach must be chosen based on location and type of the herniation and the surgeon's experience.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta

Abstract In a series of 12 cases of thoracic disc herniation operated upon at the University of Pittsburgh, 4 different operative approaches were used. These included laminectomy in 2 early cases, posterolateral extrapleural operation in 5 cases, transthoracic operation in 3 cases, and transpedicular operation in 2 cases. The relative merits of the various approaches are discussed in this paper. The clinical presentation, radiological features, and follow-up data are also presented. Precise preoperative radiological diagnosis was essential in planning the operative strategy. The posterolateral and transpedicular approaches were both satisfactory, but the former had some advantages over the latter. With a mean follow-up period of 5 years, 5 patients were cured, 5 were improved, and 1 was unchanged. One patient was worse due to coexistent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry Black

Object The author describes a technique of thoracic discectomy that has evolved from the posterolateral transfacet and the transpedicular approaches but that spares the pedicle and most of the facet joint. Methods This approach was used to remove a total of 11 discs (T6–12) in seven patients. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 3 years. In four patients with axial and/or girdle pain significant improvement was demonstrated. The paraparesis in one patient with myelopathy improved postoperatively; that in another patient improved but recurred 8 months postoperatively. In one patient who experienced preoperative leg weakness, the weakness was slightly increased postoperatively, but this sequela was only transient. There were no other complications, and there were no deaths. Conclusions This technique appears safe and effective. It can be adapted to the conventional laminectomy known to spine surgeons and requires no specialized instruments. Further trials appear warranted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Ruetten ◽  
Patrick Hahn ◽  
Semih Oezdemir ◽  
Xenophon Baraliakos ◽  
Harry Merk ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESurgery for thoracic disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis is comparatively rare and often challenging. Individual planning and various surgical techniques and approaches are required. The key factors for selecting the technique and approach are anatomical location, consistency of the pathology, general condition of the patient, and the surgeon’s experience. The objective of the study was to evaluate the technical implementation and outcomes of a full-endoscopic uniportal technique via the interlaminar, extraforaminal, or transthoracic retropleural approach in patients with symptomatic disc herniation and stenosis of the thoracic spine, taking specific advantages and disadvantages and literature into consideration.METHODSBetween 2009 and 2015, decompression was performed in 55 patients with thoracic disc herniation or stenosis using a full-endoscopic uniportal technique via an interlaminar, extraforaminal, or transthoracic retropleural approach. Imaging and clinical data were collected during follow-up examinations for 18 months.RESULTSSufficient decompression was achieved in the full-endoscopic uniportal technique. One patient required revision due to secondary bleeding, and another exhibited persistent deterioration on myelopathy. No other serious complications were observed. All but one patient experienced regression or improvement of their symptoms.CONCLUSIONSThe full-endoscopic uniportal technique with an interlaminar, extraforaminal, or transthoracic retropleural approach was found to be a sufficient and minimally invasive method. To cover the entire range of thoracic disc herniations and stenosis within the criteria named, all full-endoscopic approaches are required.


2012 ◽  
Vol 313 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 32-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wooyoung Jang ◽  
Joong-Seok Kim ◽  
Jin Young Ahn ◽  
Hee-Tae Kim

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-337
Author(s):  
Aaron Wessell ◽  
Harry Mushlin ◽  
Charles Fleming ◽  
Evan Lewis ◽  
Charles Sansur

Abstract BACKGROUND The disc location, extent of calcification, limited visualization of the ventral cord, and tenuous blood supply to the thoracic spinal cord pose unique technical challenges when surgically treating thoracic disc herniation. OBJECTIVE To report our initial experience with a series of cases in which intraoperative ultrasound image guidance was used for thoracic discectomy through a unilateral transpedicular or costotransversectomy approach. METHODS Five patients (n = 5) underwent a transpedicular approach and five (n = 5) underwent costotransversectomy for thoracic discectomy. Pre- and postoperative clinical records, operative reports, disc location/calcification, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS There were 6 (n = 6) males and 4 (n = 4) females with an average age of 54 yr (range: 33-74). All patients had symptoms attributable to a single-level of thoracic disc herniation. Discs were classified as central (n = 5) and paracentral (n = 5). Preoperative CT and/or intraoperative visualization demonstrated calcified disc material in 6 (n = 6) patients. Final outcomes data at last follow-up was available for 9 of 10 patients. Eight of these nine patients experienced a return to normal baseline functional status. Postoperative imaging confirmed that no wrong-level surgeries were performed. The mean length of follow-up was 20.4 wk (range 4-48). CONCLUSION Thoracic discectomy with ultrasound visualization via a unilateral transpedicular or costotransversectomy approach is safe and effective for treatment of central and paracentral calcified disc herniations. This tool improves the safety profile of thoracic discectomy and allows for treatment of thoracic discs through less invasive approaches.


2016 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Wagner ◽  
Albert E. Telfeian ◽  
Menno Iprenburg ◽  
Guntram Krzok ◽  
Ziya Gokaslan ◽  
...  

1982 ◽  
Vol 64-B (3) ◽  
pp. 340-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Otani ◽  
S Nakai ◽  
Y Fujimura ◽  
S Manzoku ◽  
K Shibasaki

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