Thoracic hard disc herniation treatment
Traditional surgery via thoracic laminectomy has frequently yielded disappointing results, although the recent literature reports that anterior calcified thoracic herniation was successfully treated with this approach 1)
see Costotransversectomy for thoracic disc herniation
see also Thoracic spine approaches
Surgical treatment of a symptomatic disc herniation contributed to a clinical improvement in most cases. The approach is dependent on the location, magnitude, and consistency of the herniated thoracic disc. Medially located large calcified discs should be operated through an anterolateral approach, whereas noncalcified or lateral herniated discs can be treated from a posterior approach as well. For optimal treatment of this rare entity, the treatment should be performed in selected centers 2).
see Anterolateral transthoracic endoscopic approach
A 65-year-old female patient underwent a transthoracic endoscopic approach to remove a calcified thoracic disc herniation that caused spinal cord compression. Despite having a long learning curve, the surgical technique described herein can be even used in patients with complex and calcified thoracic disc herniations. The video can be found here https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2022.3.FOCVID221 3)