Endoscopic approach for removal of thoracic disc herniation

Application of endoscopy to spinal pathology was extensively investigatedduring the Nineties. After an initial period during whichnumerous different procedures were reported, indications becamemore focused, and only a handful have stood the test of time. Thoracicherniation, the diagnosis of which has been facilitated bymodern imaging technology, is one of the best indications for thor acoscopy.This surgical technique is now well defined, permittingvery precise treatment of these lesions much less invasively thanopen surgery. Nonetheless, dural tears and pleural fistulas can easilycomplicate this technically demanding procedure. The author’sexperience is reported and discussed with respect to the literature.