ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior total vertebral resection in treating thoracic vertebrae tumor in order to provide a safe and effective method in rebuilding spine stability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2002.1 to 2007.12, 18 patients with thoracic spine tumor underwent posterior total vertebral resection and internal fixation. Among the patients, 10 patients were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 45 to 78 years, with an average of 56 years. The course of the diseases ranged from 2 to 13 months. After the operation, the tumor reccurence was monitored by X-ray, and the tumor markers were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up for a period ranging from 12 to 60 months, averaged 29 months. All the patients showed a postoperative neurologic improvement, as well as showed radiographic evidence of solid fusion in the follow-up examinations during 3 to 9 months, with an average of (8 +/- 1.4) months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Posterior total vertebral resection for the treatment of thoracic spine tumor is safe and effective.</p>