[Posterio-median approach in ventral tumor compression of the spinal cord]

The paper describes two types of resection of primary and metastatic spinal tumors via a posterolateral approach: by curettage and en-block resection. The outcomes of treatment in 15 patients operated on by curettage and 2 patients undergone en-block resection are analyzed. Postoperative pain relief was noted in 100% of the patients. Six (55%) patients who had not been able to move became outpatient after surgery. There was a neurological improvement in 5 (29%) patients, i.e. they were at a higher stage by the Frankel scale. The above results show that removal of spinal tumors via posteriomedian access with lateral extension by curettage or en-block resection might be effective in surgically treating this pathology. Choice of a type of surgery (carcinological or palliative) primarily depends on the histological nature of a tumor, on the degree of neurological deterioration, on the extent and site of a tumorous process, and on the expected survival of a patient.