Assessment of related surgical complications of minimally invasive retropleural approach to the thoraco-lumbar spine.

Objective: To review the complications associated with the minimally invasive retropleural approach used in the anterior approach to the thoraco-lumbar spine.

Material And Method: We present the MIS surgical technique and the evaluation of data collected prospectively from the initial series of 31 patients undergoing surgery. Pleural opening during the approach, lung complications derived, other surgical complications, time of intervention, intraoperative bleeding, need for transfusion and hospital stay are evaluated.

Experience in the treatment of thoracic herniated disc using image-guided thorascopy.

Thoracoscopic micro-discectomy is a treatment option for thoracic disc disease that combines the advantages of the anterior approach and the benefits of a minimally invasive technique. Adding a navigation system provides many advantages to the usual technique, as it allows accurate marking of the lesion level, improvement in the surgical approach, and precise control of herniated disc resection and vertebral osteotomy. The navigation system also reduces the learning curve for thoracoscopic technique.