Clinical study of modified one stage posterior approach total en block spondylectomy and spinal reconstruction in the treatment of invasive thoracic vascular tumor

OBJECTIVE To explore the surgical method and safety of modified one stage posterior approach total en block spondylectomy combined with pedicle screw fixation and titanium mesh reconstruction for the treatment of invasive thoracic vascular tumor. METHODS The clinical data of 12 patients with invasive thoracic vasculay tumor from December 2012 to May 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 40 to 62 years with an average of 51.2 years, the course of disease was 2 months to 8 years with an average of 3.4 years. The lesions involved vertebral bodies:1 case of T2, 4 cases of T4, 1 case of T5, 2 cases of T6, 2 cases of T8, and 2 cases of T10. According to Tomita classification, there were 3 cases of typeⅠ, 3 cases of typeⅡ, 1 case of type Ⅲ, and 5 cases of type Ⅳ. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 8.0±2.7 before operation. One patient with T10 lesions had sensory dyskinesia below the umbilicus, and the muscle strength of both lower limbs was grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ, and the others 11 patients were grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ. All 12 patients underwent one stage posterior approach total en block spondylectomy and the pedicle screw fixation combined with titanium mesh reconstruction under general anesthesia and continuous motor evoked potential (MEP) spinal cord electrophysiological monitoring throughout the operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, postoperative pain and recovery of spinal cord function, bone graft fusion, tumor recurrence and other complications were followed up. RESULTS All the operations were successful. The average operation time, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were 5.5 h (4.5 to 6.0 h), 1 850 ml (1 650 to 2 500 ml), 1 050 ml (600 to 1 500 ml), respectively. All 12 patients were followed up for 5 months to 2.5 years with an average of 21 months. Local pain and lower limb muscle strength were improved to varying, and the nerve compression symptoms disappeared. The JOA score at 6 months after operation was 12.0±3.4, which was statistically significant difference compared with the preoperative 8.0±2.7 (t=3.20, P<0.05). Titanium mesh bone grafts were all fused in phaseⅠ, with an average fusion time of 4.5 months (3 to 7 months). During the follow-up period, there was no tumor recurrence, loosening or breaking of nails, sinking and displacement of titanium mesh. CONCLUSION Modified one stage posterior approach total en block spondylectomy is an ideal surgical method for the treatment of invasive thoracic vascular tumors, which has a safe, reliable and long lasting efficacy.