Thoracoscopic spinal surgery. Treatment of thoracic instability.

Thoracoscopic spinal surgery is technically feasible and can be performed safely with acceptable rates of morbidity and excellent clinical and neurologic results. Thoracoscopic techniques can be used for anterior decompression and internal fixation in cases in which pathologic processes lead to instability. This minimally incisional access technique can achieve the identical extent of spinal exposure, dissection, decompression, and reconstruction as those obtained with open techniques.