[Therapy of thoracolumbar vertebra tumor by total spondylectomy and spine reconstruction through posterior approach].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical procedure and effectiveness of total spondylectomy and spine reconstruction through posterior approach to treat thoracolumbar vertebra tumor. METHODS: Between June 2004 and July 2008, 14 cases of thoracolumbar vertebra tumor underwent one-stage total spondylectomy through posterior approach and spine reconstruction with posterior pedicle screw system and bone graft. There were 11 males and 3 females with a mean age of 47.2 years (range, 36-60 years). The disease duration was 3-15 months. Affected segments included T3 in 1 case, T4 in 3 cases, T8 in 3 cases, T9 in 2 cases, T10 in 3 cases, T12 in 1 case, and L1 in 1 case. The postoperative pathological results were 3 cases of bony giant cell tumor, 1 case of osteoblastoma, 2 cases of osteosarcoma, and 8 cases of metastatic tumor. According to Tomita et al. grading system, there were 1 case of type II, 5 cases of type III, 3 cases of type IV, and 5 cases of type V. According to Frankel classification of preoperative spinal cord function, 3 cases were rated as grade B, 4 as grade C, 5 as grade D, and 2 as grade E. RESULTS: Wound healing by first intention was obtained in all cases, and no blood vessel and nerve injury occurred. Fourteen patients were followed up 11-64 months (mean, 32.5 months). The local pain was relieved significantly. At 6-8 months after operation, the X-ray films and CT showed that bone graft fusion at Bridwell I grade was achieved. At 10 months, the postoperative spinal cord function was improved from grade B to grade D in 2 cases, from grade C to grade D in 1 case, and the other 9 cases reached grade E. The patients had normal walking function. Two patients died of liver metastasis and brain metastasis at 11 and 15 months postoperatively, respectively; 1 patient with osteoscarcoma died of lung metastasis at 16 months; and 1 case of osteoscarcoma developed local recurrence at 8 months postoperatively. Internal fixation was reliable without loosening and breakage and the spine was stable. CONCLUSION: Total spondylectomy and spine reconstruction through posterior approach is an effective method with advantages of relative minimal injury, radical tumor excision, low local recurrence, and adequate spinal cord decompression.