[Indication and method for surgical treatment of metastatic spinal tumors]

We studied 38 patients with metastatic spinal tumors and discussed the indications and methods for surgical treatment. Metastatic spinal lesions were from carcinomas (31 cases) and sarcomas (7 cases). 20 patients underwent conventional decompressive laminectomy, 10 patients were treated by posterior decompressive laminectomy with stabilization, which included Harrington or Luque instrumentation. The remaining 8 patients were treated by anterior decompression and stabilization. Anterior decompression and stabilization (effective cases 87.5%) were better than the other procedures (effective cases of posterior decompressive laminectomy and stabilization: 70%: that of conventional laminectomy: 30%) to sustain relief of pain and reduction of paralysis. Our surgical procedures were palliative and directed at relief of pain and prevention of neurological deterioration. But our results suggested that the spinal column stabilization was worthwhile in treatment of metastatic spinal tumors.