Maurizio Domenicucci1, Lorenzo Nigro2, Roberto Delfini1. 1. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 2. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. nigro86@hotmail.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 1981, Roy-Camille et al. have firstly reported the total en-bloc spondylectomy (TES) through a posterior approach for cases of malignant spine tumors in order to reduce the local recurrence and to increase the patient's survival. By then, this surgery has been increasingly gaining recognition. However, it requires a high level of technical ability and knowledge of spinal anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. METHOD: Herein, we report the patient's selection and technique to execute the TES for cases of thoracic metastasis. CONCLUSION: This surgery is technically demanding so the patient's selection requires a careful pre-operative evaluation. However, it can be suggested for patients affected by intracompartmental lesions with a good prognosis since the tumor's progression is "limited" by local barriers as demonstrated by histological studies.
BACKGROUND: In 1981, Roy-Camille et al. have firstly reported the total en-bloc spondylectomy (TES) through a posterior approach for cases of malignant spine tumors in order to reduce the local recurrence and to increase the patient's survival. By then, this surgery has been increasingly gaining recognition. However, it requires a high level of technical ability and knowledge of spinal anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. METHOD: Herein, we report the patient's selection and technique to execute the TES for cases of thoracic metastasis. CONCLUSION: This surgery is technically demanding so the patient's selection requires a careful pre-operative evaluation. However, it can be suggested for patients affected by intracompartmental lesions with a good prognosis since the tumor's progression is "limited" by local barriers as demonstrated by histological studies.