Transfacet pedicle-sparing approach for thoracic disc removal: cadaveric morphometric analysis and preliminary clinical experience

Update Item Information
Publication Type Journal Article
School or College School of Medicine
Department Neurosurgery
Creator Couldwell, William T.
Other Author Stillerman, Charles B.; Chen, Thomas C.; Day, J. Diaz; Weiss, Martin H.
Title Transfacet pedicle-sparing approach for thoracic disc removal: cadaveric morphometric analysis and preliminary clinical experience
Date 1998
Description A number of operative techniques have been described for the treatment of herniated thoracic discs. The transfacet pedicle-sparing approach allows for complete disc removal with limited spinal column disruption and soft-tissue dissection. Fifteen cadaveric spinal columns were used for evaluation of exposure, development of thoracic microdiscectomy instrumentation, and establishment of morphometric measurements. This approach was used to remove eight thoracic discs in six patients. Levels of herniation ranged from T-7 through T-11. Preoperatively, all patients had moderate to severe axial pain, and three (50%) of the six had radicular pain. Myelopathy was present in four (67%) of the six patients. Through a 4-cm opening, the ipsilateral paraspinal muscles were reflected, and a partial facetectomy was performed. The disc was then removed using specially designed microscopic instrumentation. Postoperatively, the radiculopathy resolved in all patients. Axial pain and myelopathy were completely resolved or significantly improved in all patients.
Type Text
Publisher American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
Volume 4
Issue 2
First Page 1
Last Page 11
Subject Thoracic spine; Herniated thoracic discs; Intervertebral disc herniation; Discectomy; Pedicle; Radiculopathy; Myelopathy
Subject LCSH Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries; Intervertebral disk -- Wounds and injuries; Intervertebral disk -- Surgery
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Stillerman, C. B., Chen, T. C., Day, J. D., Couldwell, W. T., & Weiss, M. H. (1998). Transfacet pedicle-sparing approach for thoracic disc removal: cadaveric morphometric analysis and preliminary clinical experience. Neurosurgical Focus, 4(2), 1-11.
Rights Management (c) American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 220,218 bytes
Identifier ir-main,12547
ARK ark:/87278/s6tb1r71
Setname ir_uspace
ID 704555
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6tb1r71