Circumferential total resection of cervical tumors: report of two consecutive cases and technical note

To date, few studies have addressed the subaxial vertebrectomy technique and related anatomical landmarks in this method. Total spondylectomy is performed via piecemeal resection or en bloc removal in a one-stage procedure associated with stabilizing the spine and preserving neurological status. In this presentation, a circumferential total cervical tumor resection for subaxial cervical spine lesions was described. Two cases of subaxial cervical malignancy, one with primary C3 chondrosarcoma and the other with C4 lung adenosarcoma metastasis, were both treated by the anterior-posterior approach. The lesions could be removed macroscopically totally in both cases. The patients did well after surgery with preserved neurological status and they survived a considerable period without tumor recurrence. Subaxial total tumor resection can be performed safely while preserving vertebral arteries with adequate anatomical knowledge and careful surgical planning, and circumferential vertebrectomy (even intralesional) can provide a long recurrence-free survival period for patients suffering from subaxial spine tumors.