Abstract
Twenty-three patients were operated upon for thoracic disc herniation between 1973 and 1982. The lateral approach to the vertebral column was used in each. Most patients had severe local pain; 13 had severe myelopathy or complete motor paralysis, including 4 who had become paraplegic after laminectomy. Eleven patients had calcified discs or osteophytic ridges. Air myelography and computed tomography were diagnostic in all cases. Postoperatively, 17 patients achieved significant relief of pain, 20 improved neurologically, and none became worse. Complications of the operation were minimal. The lateral extracavitary approach to the spine is a valuable technique for the management of thoracic disc herniation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
