Description:
This procedure is used to treat symptomatic thoracic disc herniation (TDH).
In comparison to asymptomatic thoracic disc herniation which has a prevalence of approximately 7-15%, symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is rare accounting for between 0.25-0.57% of all disc herniations reported in the literature. Typically, symptoms appear up to two years before the patient presents for treatment. Symptoms include back pain, radicular pain, nondermatomal leg pain, bladder dysfunction, and lower extremity weakness. If left untreated serious neurological sequelae may occur.
A number of endoscopic techniques have been described. However, these techniques all use multiple portal incisions and are performed under general anaesthetic. By contrast percutaneous endoscopic laser thoracic discectomy aims to decompress the disc using a percutaneous needle and laser ablation. As a consequence it is only indicated where the disc herniation is contained inside the nucleus pulposus and is contraindicated where free disc fragmentation is evident.
Unlike open procedures, which are indicated for persistent severe myelopathy, endoscopic laser thoracic discectomy is contraindicated in patients with myelopathy, or other vascular pathologies, as well as in patients with cancer, degenerative or congenital bony defects of the spine and severe spinal cord compression.
After the patient's eligibility for surgery has been confirmed, the disc is decompressed under endoscopic magnification using curettes, microforceps and discectome inserted through a small cannula. A Holmium:YAG laser is used to ablate disc material and then shrink and contract the disc further (laser thermodiskoplasty). Any charred debris is removed via the discectome and the probe and cannula are removed after inspection shows that the site is clear. Neurological status is monitored intraoperatively, and a postoperative chest x-ray is used to rule out pneumothorax.
The alternative to this procedure is either an open technique for thoracic discectomy or endoscopic discectomy (without the use of decompression and laser ablation).
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