Radiofrequency ablation combined with subtotal corpectomy for spinal metastases / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of combined treatment with subtotal corpectomy and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for spinal metastases. MethodsFrom April 2009 to March 2010, 29 patients with spinal metastases who received subtotal corpectomy were analyzed. Sixteen patients (7 men and 9 women) with an average of 57.8 years having received subtotal corpectomy alone were selected for comparison (the subtotal corpectomy group). Thirteen patients (7 men and 6 women) with an average of 58.3 years having received subtotal corpectomy combined with RFA were chosen as subjects of this study (the RFA combination group). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the patient's age, gender, and Tomita type. Pain levels pre-and post-procedure were assessed by the visual analogue scale(VAS), and neurologic deficit were evaluated by the Frankel scale. ResultsThe VAS in RFA combination group were 8.88±0.36, 3.76±0.33, 3.35±0.38 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in subtotal corpectomy group were 8.96±0.39, 3.81 ±0.48, 3.41 ±0.42 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in both groups showed statistical significance at each time point, there was no statistically difference between the two groups. The operate time in RFA combination group and subtotal corpectomy group were(216.54±113.77) min and(302.50±80.44)min, respectively. The blood loss of the two groups were (1084.62±539.82)ml and (1625.00±724.34)ml, respectively. The recurrent rate of the two groups were 30.8％ and 75.0％, respectively. The RFA combination group were lower in operate time, blood loss and recurrent rates than subtotal corpectomy group. Conclusion Compared with the subtotal corpectomy, the RFA combination can reduce the blood loss, operation time, and the recurrent rates.