Transforaminal Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy for Upper Thoracic Spine

Due to complexity of neural and vascular structures, surgical treatment of upper thoracic spine is challenging. Open surgical approach for thoracic disc herniation includes laminectomy, transpedicular approach, costotransversectomy, and transthoracic approach. For upper thoracic levels, axillary approach or transsternal approach is a possible trajectory for transthoracic approach, which is related to high surgical morbidity. Transforaminal approach has the advantage to assess spinal canal without neurovascular injury. In this chapter, the authors describe surgical techniques for Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy for upper thoracic spine.