Microneursurgery of intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma

Objective To discuss the microsurgical techniques in the treatment of intramedullary spinal cord.Methods A total of 57 cases of intramedullary ependymoma were treated by microsurgery in our department over 5 years.Tumor resection,effect of vertebral fixation,and improvement of neurological functions were studied comparatively.Results The application of microsurgical techniques significantly increased the total resection rate,alleviated the spinal cord injury and improved the neurological functions.The recurrence of ependymoma was associated with the extent of tumor resection,especially with the management of bipolar cavity of tumor.The application of laminar fixation reduced the incidence of spinal deformity and the post-operative complications.Conclusion The application of microsurgical techniques,maximizing the extent of intra-operative tumor resection,alleviating the spinal cord injury and the laminar fixation of intramedullary spinal cord can improve the therapeutic efficacy.