The indication and timing of operation for thoracic spinal stenosis

Objective To study the indication and timing of operation for thoracic spinal stenosis.Methods 17 patients suffered from thoracic spinal stenosis were diagnosed by radiology and clinical symptoms.6 cases of spinal multi-stenosis were treated by operation only to the sites related to clinical symptoms in this group.The rest without symptom were not treated by operation.All patients were evaluated with Frankel grading system.Results 17 cases were followed for 6~57 months.1 case of Frankel A got no functional recovery.1 case of Frankel B got no recovery and 1 was restored to C.3 cases of Frankel C were restored to D and 2 to E.8 cases of Frankel D were restored to E group,and 1 was remained D,but got improvement.Conclusions The symptomatic thoracic spine stenosis confirmed by radiology and clinical symptoms should be early decompressed by operation.Those far from the symptom related site stenosis are not necessary to be treated by decompression.