Transforaminal Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy

Thoracic disc herniation is not common, and various symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. Due to the complexity of neural and vascular structures, surgical treatment of thoracic disc herniation is challenging. Several surgical approaches have been developed to address adequate surgical decompression with minimal approach-related morbidity. Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy has brought in a paradigm shift in the management of thoracic disc herniation with its least approach-related complications and wider application for various levels of herniation. Under local anesthesia, direct discectomy with endoscopic visualization through a transforaminal approach is an effective treatment method for the selected groups of patients with thoracic disc herniation. In this chapter, the authors describe the step-by-step procedure and technical tips of transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy.