Total vertebrectomy through posterior approach for thoracic tumors

Objective: To demonstrate the benefi ts and complications of the single posterior approach through bilateral costotransversectomy in the treatment of neoplastic disease of the thoracic spine.Methods: Twelve consecutive patients with thoracic spine tumors, who underwent single posterior approach with bilateral costotransversectomies were reviewed.Through posterior extrapleural access, total vertebrectomy and reconstruction were performed.In reconstruction, a cage was used anteriorly, and a pedicular screw fi xation was used posteriorly.The minimum follow-up was sixteen months.The parameters analyzed were pain, neurological and functional capacity, survival time, fi xation stability, and complications.Results: All patients had improvement in their pain or in their functional capability.Among those with a preoperative neurological defi cit, 71.4% showed improvement of at least one degree at postoperative evaluation.There was no functional or neurological decline in any patient.The observed complications were: one adult respiratory stress syndrome, one excessive bleeding, one pneumothorax, one infection and one local recurrence.All but one of these complications was reversed with appropriate treatment. Conclusion:The posterolateral approach through costotransversectomy was safe and secure method for the resection and reconstruction of thoracic vertebrae affected by neoplastic disease.