Technique of Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for the Spine: New Approach

n= 1), thoracic discectomy (n= 1), multilevel anterior discectomy and fusion (n= 1), corpectomy for decompression (n= 4), decompressions and interbody fusions (n= 10), and internal instrumentations (n= 4). Throughout the operation only one trocar was used for introducing the thoracoscope. There were no intraoperative deaths, and no patients showed neurologic deterioration due to the procedures. We conclude that such a technique makes thoracoscopy-assisted spinal surgery simpler and easier and has proved to be an effective, promising procedure. It does not appear to compromise the therapeutic goals set for the patients. The intraoperative vessel bleeding can be easily controlled, and the number of portals for the procedures can be reduced (on average, three portals are enough). Few endoscopic materials were used with our patients, and thus the total economic cost to the patients was reduced.