Three-Dimensional Printing for Percutaneous Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy in Thoracic Disc Herniations: Case Report and Anatomy Review

Abstract

Introduction: Thoracic disc herniations causing unrelenting neuralgia are relatively rare, especially cephalad to T-10 because the rib cage provides enough stability to offer relief with non-surgical methods over time. A transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic thoracic approach (PETD) however, is a feasible minimally invasive option for decompressing and removing the herniation without resorting to a more invasive and surgically more morbid open approach requiring thoracotomy and removal of the rib head through the thoracic cavity.