Thoracic spine surgery
Thoracic spine surgery in nagpur is one form of the minimally invasive spine surgery primarily for the treatment of a thoracic spinal disc herniations or stenosis through endoscopic discectomies and relaxation techniques, respectively1. Due to extended recovery time and complications arising from the open procedures, this minimally invasive approach mainly aims for less tissue trauma without compromising therapeutic efficacy. Treatment Option for your Specific Condition.
The aims of surgical interventions in the thoracic spine are to:
Release pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves by removal or relief of any form of pressure.
2. Flexibility and Strength Attainment
3. Spinal Stabilization
4. Correction of deformities; for example, scoliosis
5. Removal of cancerous growths and infections
What Is a Thoracic spine surgery?
Thoracic spine surgery is an operation where the surgery involves the middle back, particularly the thoracic spine (T1-T12). The surgery can be offered for a wide variety of conditions of the thoracic spine, including:
– Herniated discs
– Spinal stenosis
– Scoliosis
– Spinal fractures
– Tumors
– Infections (discitis, osteomyelitis)
Thoracic spine surgery may be performed through traditional open surgery or through minimally invasive techniques, depending on the condition and the preference of the surgeon.
The objectives of surgery encompass relief of pain and pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, improving mobility and strength, stabilizing the spine, correcting deformities, and removal of tumors or infections.
You should consult a healthcare provider to assess whether thoracic spine surgery is a suitable treatment option for your kind of condition.
Conditions Treated by Thoracic Spine Surgery:
Thoracic spine surgery is typically considered for more severe or persistent conditions, such as:
- Herniated Disc: A herniated disc in the thoracic spine can compress nerves or the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the mid-back or chest area.
- Thoracic Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal in the thoracic region that can compress the spinal cord.
- Thoracic Vertebral Fractures: Often caused by trauma, osteoporosis, or conditions like cancer, fractures in the thoracic vertebrae can lead to spinal instability.
- Kyphosis: Abnormal forward curvature of the thoracic spine, which can result in a “hunchback” appearance and cause pain or breathing difficulties.
- Scoliosis: Abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that may require surgical correction if severe.
- Thoracic Myelopathy: Compression of the spinal cord in the thoracic spine, leading to symptoms like difficulty walking, weakness, or loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Spinal Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors affecting the thoracic spine can compress the spinal cord or nerves and require surgical removal.
Types of Thoracic Spine Surgery:
Several surgical techniques can be employed to treat thoracic spine problems. The choice of surgery depends on the specific condition, severity, and the patient’s overall health.
- Thoracic Discectomy:
- Performed to remove part or all of a herniated disc in the thoracic spine.
- Can be done through a minimally invasive approach or as an open surgery, depending on the location and severity of the disc herniation.
- The goal is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Thoracic Laminectomy:
- Involves removing the lamina (the back part of the vertebra) to create more space within the spinal canal.
- Often used to treat thoracic spinal stenosis or myelopathy caused by spinal cord compression.
- Can be combined with fusion if the spine is the unstable.
- Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty:
- These are minimally invasive procedures used to stabilize compression fractures in the thoracic spine, often due to osteoporosis.
- In vertebroplasty, a special bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra.
- Kyphoplasty involves the insertion of a balloon to restore vertebral height before injecting the cement.
- Spinal Fusion:
- Involves fusing two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine, often used in cases of instability caused by fractures, scoliosis, or degenerative conditions.
- Metal rods, screws, or bone grafts may be used to fuse the vertebrae.
- Commonly combined with other procedures like laminectomy or discectomy.
- Scoliosis Surgery:
- Severe cases of scoliosis, particularly those affecting the thoracic spine, may require surgical correction.
- Surgeons use metal rods and screws to realign the spine and fuse the affected vertebrae to prevent further curvature.
- Thoracotomy (for Tumor Removal or Trauma):
- In some cases, surgeons may need to access the thoracic spine through the chest cavity (thoracotomy) to remove tumors, repair fractures, or decompress the spinal cord.
- This approach may be necessary for complex conditions affecting both the spine and surrounding organs.
Procedure for Thoracic Spine Surgery:
- Anesthesia: Thoracic spine surgery is performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is unconscious during the procedure.
- Incision: The location of the incision depends on the surgical approach. For some procedures, an incision is made on the back (posterior), while for others, a lateral or anterior approach may be used, especially for tumor removal or accessing the spine through the chest.
- Decompression or Stabilization: Depending on the condition, the surgeon removes parts of the bone, disc, or tissue compressing the nerves or spinal cord. If necessary, the vertebrae may be fused to stabilize the spine.
- Instrumentation: In spinal fusion, metal rods, screws, or bone grafts are used to hold the vertebrae together while they heal and fuse.
- Closure: Once the procedure is complete, the incision is closed with sutures or staples.
Recovery and Rehabilitation:
- Hospital Stay: Thoracic spine surgery typically requires a hospital stay of a few days, though complex procedures may require a longer stay.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy begins shortly after surgery to help restore strength, mobility, and flexibility. The specific rehabilitation plan will depend on the type of surgery performed.
- Activity Restrictions: Patients are usually advised to avoid heavy lifting, twisting, or bending for several weeks to months following surgery.
- Pain Management: Post-surgical pain is managed with medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and, in some cases, opioids for short-term use.
- Brace or Support: Some patients may need to wear a back brace to support the spine during the healing process.
Risks and Complications:
As with any spine surgery, there are potential risks and complications, including:
- Infection: Risk of the infection at a surgical site.
- Nerve Injury: There’s a small risk of damage to the spinal cord or nerves, which can lead to weakness, numbness, or paralysis.
- Blood Clots: Blood clots may form in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) after surgery.
- Pulmonary Complications: Since the thoracic spine is near the lungs, there is a risk of lung-related complications, particularly with surgeries that involve a thoracotomy.
- Failed Fusion or Nonunion: In fusion surgeries, there is a risk that the bones may not fully fuse, leading to continued pain or instability.
Candidates for Thoracic Spine Surgery:
Thoracic spine surgery is generally recommended for patients who:
- Have severe or worsening symptoms that do not improve with conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections.
- Experience significant nerve compression causing symptoms like weakness, numbness, or loss of function in the arms or legs.
- Have spinal instability, severe scoliosis, or fractures that require surgical stabilization.
- Have spinal cord compression leading to myelopathy or other neurological symptoms.
What procedures Thoracic spine surgery?
Surgical procedures on thoracic spine include:
1. Thoracic Discectomy: This is the extraction of a herniated disc in the thoracic spine .
2. Thoracic Laminectomy: The partial removal of the vertebra or lamina with the aim of relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
3. Thoracic Fusion: The fusion process combines two, three, or even more vertebrae together for strengthening of the spine .
4. Thoracic Osteotomy: Cutting and repositioning of the vertebrae to correct deformities.
5. Thoracic Instrumentation: Using rods, screws, or other instrumentation for stabilizing the spine.
6. Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty: Strengthens compressed vertebrae that can aid in treating fractures or osteoporosis.
7. Thoracic Spinal Decompression: Relieves the pressure on the spinal cord or nerves
8. Thoracic Foraminotomy: expands the thoracic opening of the spine for where the spinal nerve roots exit
9. Thoracic Facet Joint Fusion: This cures painful instability between the facet joints
10. Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: A form of surgery using smaller incisions with specialized equipment to minimize tissue damage.
The approaches by which these procedures can be done are as follows:
-Open surgery
Some of them include
– Minimally invasive surgery
– Endoscopic spine surgery
– Robotic spine surgery
The procedure and approach will differ from person to person and probably on the surgeon’s personal preference.
At our Neurosys Multispeciality Center, we perform several key procedures including Craniotomy, which is primarily for the excision of brain tumors; V-P Shunt Surgery for treating hydrocephalus; surgeries for epilepsy; and operations targeting brain stem glioma. Beyond these, we offer a range of other neurosurgical services. If you have any questions that are not answere, please contact us through our Contact Us or Book your Appointment.