Situación actual de la cirugía toracoscópica del raquis torácico y lumbar. Parte 1: Aspectos generales y tratamiento de las fracturas

Thoracoscopic surgery is in many cases an alternative to conventional open surgery. The transdiaphragmatic approach has made endoscopic treatment of many thoracolumbar junction processes possible, thus widening the spectrum of therapeutic indications. These include the treatment of fractures and deformities, as well as the reconstruction of injured spinal segments and decompression of the spinal canal in any etiological processes if the lesion placement is favourable to antero-lateral approach. Good clinical results of thoracoscopic surgery are supported by the growing experience reflected in a large number of articles. The degree of complications in thoracoscopic surgery is comparable to open surgery, with benefits in morbidity of the approach and subsequent patient recovery.