THORACOSCOPIC SPINAL SURGERY - TREATMENT OF THORACIC INSTABILITY

Thoracoscopic spinal surgery is technically feasible and can be perfor med safely with acceptable rates of morbidity and excellent clinical a nd neurologic results. Thoracoscopic techniques can be used for anteri or decompression and internal fixation in cases in which pathologic pr ocesses lead to instability. This minimally incisional access techniqu e can achieve the identical extent of spinal exposure, dissection, dec ompression, and reconstruction as those obtained with open techniques.