Surgical treatment options and its results for thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation with or without ossification of ligment flavum

徐寶山(Xu Baoshan，Dept Spine Surg，Tianjin Hosp，Tianjin 300211)…∥Chin J Orthop.－2010，30(11).－1091～1095

Surgical treatment options and its results for thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation with or without ossification of ligment flavum

徐寶山(Xu Baoshan，Dept Spine Surg，Tianjin Hosp，Tianjin 300211)…∥Chin J Orthop.－2010，30(11).－1091～1095

ObjectiveTo analyze the surgical treatment options and its results for thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation.MethodsFrom June 2004 to December 2009，thirty-one patients of thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation with or without ossification of ligament flavum were surgically treated，including 22 males and 9 females，with a mean age of 54 years(range，24 to 71 years).According to Anand and Regan clinical classification，there was type 2 for 1 case，grade 3a for 2，grade 3b for 3，grade 4 for 6，and grade 5 for 19.The neurological status was Frankel B for 2 cases，C for 6，D for 11，and E for 12.Anterior surgeries were performed for 18 patients without ossification of ligament flavum.Anterior decompression was performed through the resection of posterior part of vertebral body，or subtotal resection of vertebral body，followed by strut graft and internal fixation.Posterior surgeries were performed for 13 patients with disc herniation and ossification of ligament flavum.The resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy was performed.ResultsThe complications of 18 patients with anterior surgery included laceration of dura mater in 1 case，nerve root sleeve injury in 1 case，intercostal neuralgia in 3 cases，atelectasis in 1 case，and femoroiliac numbness in 2 cases.The complications of 13 patients with posterior surgery included intra-canal hematoma in 1 cases，leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in 2 cases，infection of incision in 1 cases，and pneumonia in 1 case.The patients were followed for 18 months(range，6 to 48 months).At final follow-up，the neurological status and local symptom improved in all patients，with Frankel C for 3 cases，D for 7，and E for 21;and Anand and Regan type 1 for 2 cases，2 for 1，3a for 1，4 for 2，5 for 10 and no symptom for 15.ConclusionFor thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation，anterior surgery is suitable for patients mainly suffered anterior cord compression.Resection of posterior part of vertebral body or subtotal resection of vertebral body is often needed for sufficient decompression.Posterior surgery is suitable for patients with anterior and posterior cord compression due to ossification of ligament flavum，and the decompression can be obtained by resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy.12 refs，2 figs.

(Authors)