Spinal tumors treated with total spondylectomy and spinal stability reconstruction / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the possibility and clinical value of total spondylectomy for the treatment of spinal tumors and to investigate a reliable method of spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy. Methods Twenty seven cases of spinal tumors which eroded both vertebral body and its attachments were treated with total spondylectomy and internal fixation as reconstruction techniques. There were benign, malignant and metastatic tumors, which involved different levels from upper cervical to lower lumbar spines. One to 3 spinal vertebrae were removed. Results Twenty three cases were followed up for 7 to 96 months (with an average of 25 months). Among them, 1 case of L 5 malignant neurofibroma and 1 case of C6,7 giant cells tumor recurred in 10 and 12 months after operation, but the patients refused further treatment. One case of C2-4 chordoma recurred 1 year after operation, after second surgery, the result was satisfactory. No recurrent signs were found in the rest of 20 cases. Among 25 cases with neurological lesions, obvious improvement were obtained in 23 after operation. Conclusion For patients with involvement of spinal vertebra eroded by tumors, total spondylectomy is an effective procedure. After total spondylectomy, spinal stability can be reconstructed by stable internal fixation system.