Posterior discectomy for the treatment of lower thoracic disc herniation

段春岳(Duan Chnye， Dept Spine Surg，Xiangya Hosp，Centr South Univ，Changsha 410008)…∥Chin J Orthop.－2010，30(11).－1077～1081

Posterior discectomy for the treatment of lower thoracic disc herniation

段春岳(Duan Chnye， Dept Spine Surg，Xiangya Hosp，Centr South Univ，Changsha 410008)…∥Chin J Orthop.－2010，30(11).－1077～1081

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of posterior laminectomy and transfacet discectomy combined with interbody fusion and segment fixation for the treatment of lower thoracic disc herniation.MethodsFrom June 2000 to June 2010，36 cases of lower thoracic disc herniation were treated with method of posterior laminectomy and transfacet discectomy combined with interbody fusion and segment fixation，including 23 males and 13 females，with an average of 42 years old(range，22 －61 years old).The courses of disease were from 21 days to 69 months，with an average of 22 months.The lesion locations were T10-11 for 12 cases，T11-12 for 15 cases and T12L1 for 9 cases.Each of the patients underwent X-ray and MR examination，31 of them underwent CT scanning.Twenty-five cases were central protrusion type，7 cases were para-central protrusion type，4 cases were lateral protrusionstype.The clinical results were evaluated by Otanni scored system.ResultsThe operative time was 135 － 220 min，with average of 155 min.The blood loss was 350 －800 mL，with average of 460 mL.All patients were successfully operated without neurological symptoms aggravation and accidents.Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 12 cases，which was treated by continuous suture or dura patch repair.Two cases with giant disc herniation suffered from muscle strength decrease of lower limbs after surgery，which gradually recovered after drug treatment of hormones，dehydration，high-pressure oxygen and nerve nutrients.Postoperative X-ray examinations showed that there were no internal fixation loosening.The followed-up period was 14 days to 48 months，mean 4 months.According to Otani scored system，there were excellent results in 12 cases，good results in 18 cases and poor results in 1 case.The clinical satisfaction rate was 83.3% .ConclusionPosterior lam-inectomy and transfacet discectomy combined with interbody fusion and segment fixation is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of lower thoracic disc herniation.18 refs，2 figs.

(Authors)