Modified eggshell technique through posterior approach for the hard thoracic disc herniation / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of modified eggshell technique through posterior approach for the treatment of hard thoracic disc herniation. Methods From January 2006 to June 2009, 22 patients admitted for hard thoracic disc herniation were reviewed, including 13 males and 9 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 33-69). The courses of disease were 11 months on the average (range, 3-18 ). The lesions located in T8-9 for 4 cases, T9-10 for 9, T10-11 for 7, T11-12 for 2. Each of the patients underwent X-ray, CT scanning and MRI examination before surgery. There were 16 cases of central type, and 6 cases of paracentral type. All patients were treated surgically by modified eggshell technique via posterior approach. Results The mean operative time was 210 min (range, 180-300 min), with a mean blood loss of 860 ml (range, 600-1200 ml). All surgeries were performed successfully without neurological symptoms aggravation. Surgical complications included dural laceration in 2 cases, both dural lacerations were repaired intraoperatively, epidural hematoma in 1 case with lower extremity neurological symptoms, full neurologic recovery was observed after surgical removal of the hematoma. All patients were followed up for average 27.5 months (range, 12-54). The mean JOA score increased from 3.36±1.79 before operation to 7.45±2.99 after the operation at 12 months follow up, and the mean improvement rate of neurological status was 58.3%±30.7%. There was significant difference in JOA score before and after surgery(t=10. 12,P＜0.01 ).The results of 14 cases were ranked as good, 6 as fair, 2 as unchanged, and none as worsened. All cases obtained bony fusion without instrument failure. Conclusion Modified eggshell technique enable ventral and dorsal spinal decompression from the posterior approach in cases of hard thoracic disc herniation, with reduction of the rate of postoperative paralysis.