Thoracic endoscopic surgery: advantages and limitations

Abstract

Abstract Background Thoracoscopic spine surgery is a form of minimally invasive spine surgery primarily used to treat thoracic spinal disk herniation and stenosis via endoscopic discectomy and decompression techniques, respectively. In contrast to the lengthy recovery time and related risks of an open approach, this minimally invasive technique primarily attempts to limit tissue trauma while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Thoracoscopies and video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery were first developed in the early 1990s. Larger surgical instruments and improved access to foraminal pathologies were made possible because of Kambin's triangle. This triangle zone is formed by the exiting root anteriorly, the traversing root medially, and the superior end plate of the lower lumbar vertebra inferiorly. With the development of high-quality video imaging, small endoscopes, and modified new instruments, video-assisted thoracic surgery has become the minimally invasive technique of choice for most thoracic and transthoracic surgeries. Spinal biopsy procedures, discectomy, decompressive corpectomy, interbody fusions, internal fixations, and debridement are now among the indications for thoracoscopic spine surgery. This review will focus on assessing the advantages and limitations of thoracoscopic spine surgery. Conclusions Thoracoscopic spine surgery with a minimally invasive approach is a safe and successful alternative to traditional open thoracic spine surgery. It significantly reduces the morbidity associated with open thoracic procedures while maintaining the surgical procedure's safety and efficacy. The indications and applications of thoracoscopic spine surgery will continue to grow as surgeons gain more experience with the procedure and new endoscopic instruments are developed.