Abstract
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of thoracic discectomy via trans-facet-joint approach in the treatment of thoracic disc herniation.Methods Thirty-three cases were included in this group from October 1994 to August 2009.There were 27 males and 6 females.The age ranged from 18 to 72 years old,with an average of 41.8 years.The course of disease ranged from 12 days to 36 months and was lesser than one month in 13 cases.The weakness and numbness of lower limbs occurred after trauma in 9 cases.Fifteen cases were diagnosed as simple thoracic disc herniation.Six cases were associated with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament and 12 cases were associated with ossification or hypertrophy of yellow ligament.A total of 45 discs were involved,including 32 in lower thoracic segments(71.11%),8 in upper thoracic segments(17.78%)and 5 in middle thoracic segments(11.11%).All the herniated discs and the ossified OPLL were excised via the trans-facet-joint approach.For the cases with ossification or hypertrophy of yellow ligament,the laminectomy and replantation were performed.The screw-rod system was used on both sides in 14 cases,on one side in 19 cases.Results Follow-up was acquired in 27 patients,ranged from 12 to 63 months(mean,37 months).According to Epstein and Schwall grade,there were excellent in 15 cases,good in 10 cases,improved in 2 cases and poor in 2 cases.The excellent and good rate was 86.21% and total effective rate was 93.10%.Postoperative complications occurred in 3 cases,including exacerbation of preexisting deficits in 2 cases and implant failure in 1 case.The former 2 cases were treated with methylprednisolone,dehydrant,neural nutrition and hyperbaric oxygen.One patient had recovered to preoperative level,the other had not recovered to the preoperative level.The implant was removed 18 months after operation for the implant failure.The post-operative CT or MRI showed that all the replanted lamina obtained fusion,and the canal decompression was complete.Conclusion Thoracic discectomy via trans-facet-joint approach can improve the clinical result obviously. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Spinal stenosis; Intervertebral disk displacement; Diskectomy
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