scholarly journals Strategies for posterior-only minimally invasive surgery in thoracolumbar metastatic epidural spinal cord compression

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdul Alshareef ◽  
Gibson Klapthor ◽  
Stephen R. Lowe ◽  
Jessica Barley ◽  
David Cachia ◽  
...  

Background: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is a debilitating sequela of cancer. Here, we evaluated various subtypes of posterior-only minimally invasive spinal (MIS) procedures utilized to address different cancers. Methods: Within this retrospective review, we analyzed the treatment of thoracolumbar MESCC treated with three MIS techniques: decompression and fusion (Subgroup A), partial corpectomy (Subgroup B), and full corpectomy (Subgroup C). Results: There were 51 patients included in the study; they averaged 58.7 years of age, and 51% were females. Most tumors were in the thoracic spine (51%). The average preoperative Frankel grade was D (62.7%); 69% (35) improved postoperatively. The patients were divided as follows: subgroup A (15 patients = 29.4%), B (19 patients = 37.3%), and C (17 patients = 33.3%). The length of hospitalization was similar (~5.4 days) for all groups. The overall complication rate was 31%, while blood loss was lower in Subgroups A and B versus C. Conclusion: Different MIS surgical techniques were utilized in patients with thoracic and/or lumbar MESCC. Interestingly, clinical outcomes were similar between MIS subgroups, in this study, with a trend toward higher complications and greater blood loss associated with those undergoing more aggressive MIS procedures (e.g., full corpectomy and fusion).

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. E620-E622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Taghva ◽  
Khan W. Li ◽  
John C. Liu ◽  
Ziya L. Gokaslan ◽  
Patrick C. Hsieh

Abstract OBJECTIVE Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a potentially devastating complication of cancer and is estimated to occur in 5% to 14% of all cancer patients. It is best treated surgically. Minimally invasive spine surgery has the potential benefits of decreased surgical approach–related morbidity, blood loss, hospital stay, and time to mobilization. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 36-year-old man presented with worsening back pain and lower extremity weakness. Workup revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung with spinal cord compression at T4 and T5. INTERVENTION AND TECHNIQUE T4 and T5 vertebrectomy with expandable cage placement and T1–T8 pedicle screw fixation and fusion were performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. RESULT The patient improved neurologically and was ambulatory on postoperative day 1. At the 9-month follow-up point, he remained neurologically intact and pain free, and there was no evidence of hardware failure. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive surgical circumferential decompression may be a viable option for the treatment of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. E10
Author(s):  
Murray Echt ◽  
Ariel Stock ◽  
Rafael De la Garza Ramos ◽  
Evan Der ◽  
Mousa Hamad ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of separation surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus open surgery. METHODS A retrospective study of patients undergoing MIS or standard open separation surgery for MESCC between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Both groups received circumferential decompression via laminectomy and a transpedicular approach for partial corpectomy to debulk ventral epidural disease, as well as instrumented stabilization. Outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There were 17 patients in the MIS group and 24 in the open surgery group. The average age of the MIS group was significantly older than the open surgery group (65.5 vs 56.6 years, p < 0.05). The preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score of the open group was significantly lower than that of the MIS group, with averages of 63.0% versus 75.9%, respectively (p = 0.02). This was also evidenced by the higher proportion of emergency procedures performed in the open group (9 of 24 patients vs 0 of 17 patients, p = 0.004). The average Spine Instability Neoplastic Score, number of levels fused, and operative parameters, including length of stay, were similar. The average estimated blood loss difference for the open surgery versus the MIS group (783 mL vs 430 mL, p < 0.05) was significant, although the average amount of packed red blood cells transfused was not significantly different (325 mL vs 216 mL, p = 0.39). Time until start of radiation therapy was slightly less in the MIS than the open surgery group (32.8 ± 15.6 days vs 43.1 ± 20.3 days, p = 0.069). Among patients who underwent open surgery with long-term follow-up, 20% were found to have local recurrence compared with 12.5% of patients treated with the MIS technique. No patients in either group developed hardware failure requiring revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS MIS for MESCC is a safe and effective approach for decompression and stabilization compared with standard open separation surgery, and it significantly reduced blood loss during surgery. Although there was a trend toward a faster time to starting radiation treatment in the MIS group, both groups received similar postoperative radiotherapy doses, with similar rates of local recurrence and hardware failure. An increased ability to perform MIS in emergency settings as well as larger, prospective studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of MIS over standard open separation surgery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen Chung Liao

Abstract Background: The most commonly encounter tumor of the spine is metastasis, and thoracic spine is the most commonly metastatic spine. Controversy exists regarding the optimal surgical approach for this kind of patient. The author conducted a study to assess the differences between anterior thoracotomy and posterior approach in patients with malignant epidural cord compression in the thoracic spine. Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2015, patients with metastatic thoracic lesion underwent surgery at our department were stratified into two groups according to different approach method to the lesion site. Group A mean anterior thoracotomy, decompression and fixation. Group P represented posterior decompression and fixation. Survival was defined as months since surgery to last tractable times. American Spinal Injury Association grade was used to assess preoperative and postoperative neurologic status. Days at intensive care unit (ICU) were compared. Every complication by surgery or during admission was documented. Results: Group A had 25 patients and Group P had 67 patients. Lung cancer was ther most commonly origin cancer in both groups. The most commonly surgical level was the 9th thoracic vertebrae in Group A and the 10th thoracic vertbrae in Group P. Both gropus had a similar preoperative neurologic (p=0.959). One patients in Group A and two in the Group P sustained neurologic deterioation immediately after surgery. Group A took more operation time (213.0 vs 199.2 minutes, p=0.380) and had more blood loss (912.5 vs 834.4 ml, p=0.571). 6 patients in Group A (24%) and 10 patients in Group P (13.9%) developed complications immediately or postoperatively. Patients in Group A need more days of care at ICU (2.36 vs 0.19 days, p<0.001). The longer survival was seen in the goup P (15.4 vs 11.2 months) but without significant differnce. Conclusion: Patients in Group P required significantly less days of care at ICU. Besides, posterior approach also took a shorter surgical time, and had a less blood loss during surgery, although without statistically significant difference. According to the results, the author would prefer posterior approach by decompression and fixation for those with thoracic metastatic tumor with epidural compression. Keywords: Thoracic spine; metastatic epidural spinal cord compression; anterior thoracotomy; posterior approach; survivorship; neurologic status; complications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukako Ishida ◽  
Hideki Shigematsu ◽  
Shinji Tsukamoto ◽  
Yasuhiko Morimoto ◽  
Eiichiro Iwata ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Neoplastic spinal cord compression is a cause of severe disability in cancer patients. To prevent irreversible paraplegia, a structured strategy is required to address the various impairments present in cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 consecutive patients with neoplastic spinal compression who were treated with minimally invasive spine stabilization (MISt). We classified the impairments of patients through our multidisciplinary tumor board based on spine-specific factors, skeletal instability and tumor growth. The neurological deficits, ambulation status, progress of pathological fracture, incidence of vertebral collapse, postoperative implant failure were examined. Changes of the Barthel index (BI) scores before and after surgery were investigated throughout the clinical courses. Results: The average duration to ambulation was 7.19±11 days, and we observed no collapse or progression of paralysis except in four cases of complete motor paraplegia before the surgery. We noted good functional prognosis in patients capable of ambulation within seven days and in patients who could survive longer than three months after the surgery. Conclusions: In various cancer patients with neoplastic spinal cord compression, skeletal instability as the primary impairment is a good indication for MISt, as the patients showed early ambulation with improved BI scores.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 294-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Tancioni ◽  
Pierina Navarria ◽  
Federico Pessina ◽  
Simona Marcheselli ◽  
Elisa Rognone ◽  
...  

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