Transthoracic Removal of Thoracic Disc

Paraplegia as a sequela to dorsal disc prolapse

“…These include a small spinal canal which makes the cord vulnerable to even small protrusions (Ransohoff et at., 1969), the sparse blood supply to the cord in this region (Dommisse, 1974) and the size and consistency of the protrusion and its relation to the cord and nerve roots (Abbott and Retter, 1956).…”

“…This was undoubtedly a contributing factor to his deformity. Favourable results have recently been reported using a transthoracic or anterolateral approach, (Chesterman and Bonney, 1964;Perot and Munro, 1969;Ransohoff et al, 1969;Simmons and Evans, 1975;Naylor, 1977). This approach appears to be gaining popularity but it is recommended only when one is reasonably certain that the lesion is extra-dural and anterior.…”

Multiple thoracic disc herniations: case report and review of the literature

“…Laminectomy may produce an abnormal increase in spinal motion because it removes the posterior structures of the spinal column, and therefore the results may be poor. 2 Crafoord et al reported the ®rst use of the transthoracic approach for removal of the disc in a patient with thoracic disc herniation in 1958, 15 and this approach was subsequently developed by Perot and Munro 16 and Ransoho et al 17 This technique o ers the best opportunity for removal of the compressive lesion with the least manipulation of the compromised spinal cord 17 and allows both hard and soft discs to be removed easily. 13 Thus anterior surface of the dural sac is also better visualised.…”

Herniation and Protrusion of Intervertebral Discs and Spondylotic Myeloradiculopathy

“…In view of the hazards involved 1in the treatment of central thoracic disc protrusions by laminectomy, an anterolateral transthoracic approach has been proposed in cases in which an accurate diagnosis has been established preoperatively (Hulme, 1960;Perot and Munro, 1969;Ransohoff, 1969). The factor of additional surgical trauma to an already compromised and vulnerable spinal cord is thereby lessened, but the procedure is not without its ~shortcomings and insufficient data have been accumulated to fully establish its value.…”