Percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) appears to be a safe and efficacious method of excising herniated thoracic discs. Results indicate high patient satisfaction rates comparable to those of open thoracotomy. VATS' advantages include decreased length of hospitalization, decreased postoperative pain, less shoulder girdle dysfunction, lower incidence of pulmonary complications and post-thoracotomy syndrome, and earlier return to normal activity when compared to thoracotomy approaches.