Full Endoscopic Transforaminal Thoracic Discectomy Operative Technique

Thoracic disc herniations are a degenerative pathology of the thoracic spine wherein a portion of nucleus pulposis herniates into the epidural space, potentially causing spinal cord or nerve root compression. Traditional surgical treatment for patients with thoracic disc herniations requires relatively invasive anterior or posterolateral approaches that involve extensive muscular dissection and removal of bone in order to access and remove the disc herniation without causing undue compression of the spinal cord. Full endoscopic thoracic discectomy is a minimally invasive technique which allows for the resection of thoracic disc herniations through a small (1 cm) incision, minimizing collateral tissue trauma and obviating the need for the extensive muscle dissection and bony removal required for traditional surgical approaches. In this article, we describe in detail the operative technique for full endoscopic thoracic discectomy and discuss the pearls and pitfalls of the technique. We also provide a review of the outcomes and complications as seen in the literature.