The Localio approach: a technical note for a large sacral chordoma

Whenvever possible, radical resection of retrorectal tumours should be performed.(1) We describe the Localio technique (abdominosacral approach) in a case of a large malignant sacral chordoma. We emphasise the necessity to perform such an approach to achieve a radical resection for these tumours which have little chemosensitivity and minimal radiosensitivity. We highlight clinical features which suggest the presence of a spinal tumour and reiterate the absolute importance of rectal examination.