Surgical Treatment
Thoracic spinal surgery
Thoracic spinal surgery encompasses a range of procedures to address pathologies in the thoracic region of the spine, which extends from the base of the neck to the abdomen. Indications for thoracic spinal surgery include degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and other deformities, traumatic injuries, tumors, and infections. The unique anatomical characteristics of the thoracic spine, such as the presence of the rib cage and the narrower spinal canal, pose specific challenges and dictate surgical approaches. The approach to thoracic spinal surgery varies based on the pathology and the specific vertebral levels involved. Anterior, posterior, and lateral (thoracoscopic) approaches are employed depending on the surgical goals and the location of the pathology.
Below are outlined standard surgical Thoracic Spinal Surgery procedures:
Thoracic Discectomy is a surgical procedure to remove herniated or degenerated discs from the thoracic spine. While less common than cervical or lumbar disc herniations, thoracic disc pathologies can cause significant pain, myelopathy, or radiculopathy. Indications for thoracic discectomy typically include symptomatic disc herniations that are refractory to conservative treatment, especially those causing neural compression. The primary goal of thoracic discectomy is to relieve pain and neurological symptoms.
Thoracic Spinal Fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently stabilize the thoracic spine. It's typically indicated for conditions such as severe spinal deformities (like scoliosis or kyphosis), spinal instability due to trauma or tumors, degenerative disc disease leading to painful motion segments, and some instances of spinal infections or fractures. The primary goal is to provide stability, correct deformity, and alleviate pain.
Thoracic Spinal Decompression is a surgical procedure primarily aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots within the thoracic spine. This procedure is typically indicated for conditions such as thoracic spinal stenosis, herniated discs, tumors, or spinal deformities that cause myelopathy or radiculopathy. The thoracic region's distinct anatomy and relatively narrow spinal canal make decompression surgery in this area particularly intricate.
Thoracic Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure primarily used to treat painful vertebral fractures in the thoracic spine, which is the middle portion of the spinal column extending from the base of the neck to the abdomen. This procedure is often employed when vertebral fractures are due to osteoporosis, cancer, or benign lesions.
Percutaneous stabilization of the thoracic spine is a modern surgical technique primarily used to stabilize the spine after injury, or due to conditions such as tumors, fractures, or degenerative diseases. "Percutaneous" means that the procedure is done through the skin with minimal incisions, unlike traditional open surgery. This approach is particularly relevant for the thoracic spine — the middle segment of the vertebral column, extending from the base of the neck to the abdomen.
Thoracic corpectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a vertebra in the thoracic spine, which is the part of the spine that runs through the chest area. This procedure is often necessary when a vertebra is severely damaged or diseased due to conditions like cancer, severe spinal fractures, infections, or advanced degenerative diseases. The primary aim of thoracic corpectomy is to remove the damaged vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, and to prevent or correct spinal deformity or instability. Following the removal of a vertebra, the spine would be unstable and unable to support the body properly without the procedure known as Vertebral Body Replacement, which involves the insertion of an artificial device or a bone graft to fill the space left by the removed vertebra, thereby restoring the spine's stability and alignment.
Thoracic minimally invasive percutaneous nucleotomy is a specialized surgical procedure designed to treat herniated discs in the thoracic spine, which is the portion of the spine running through the chest area. This technique is particularly notable for its minimally invasive nature, which involves less bodily intrusion than traditional open spine surgeries.
The resection of thoracic spine tumors, both primary and metastatic, represents a pinnacle of complexity in spinal oncology. The thoracic spine presents unique anatomical and surgical challenges. Tumors in this region, whether originating in the spinal tissue or metastasized from other body parts, can cause significant pain, neurological compromise, and spinal instability.