Objective      To introduce a transfacet process approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar disc herniation and evaluate the efficacy.       Methods      Eleven cases with thoracolumbar disc herniation were treated by this approach

including 7 male cases and 4 female cases with an average age of 53 (ranging from 23 to 62). Among them

2 cases involved T

10

~T

11

3 cases T

11

~T

12

2 cases T

12

~L

1

and 4 cases L

1

~L

2

.       Results      All the patients were followed up for 1 to 4 years

with an

average of 2 years. According to JOA improving rate evaluation criterion

8 patients gained an excellent result

2 good

1 fair

and no bad

with the excellent and good rate of 90.9%.       Conclusion      The transfacet process approach is an effective method for complete decompression of thoracolumbar disc herniation

with less bleeding

tissue damage

and adverse effects on the spinal cord.