Total posterior vertebrectomy of the thoracic or lumbar spine

A total vertebrectomy in the thoracic or lumbar spine via a posterior approach can provide optimal neural decompression in certain severely compromised terminal patients affected with a malignant metastatic spinal lesion. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) internal fixator, accompanied by methyl methacrylate reconstruction of the anterior vertebral column, provides sufficient stabilization so that immediate ambulation with minimal external support is possible. This single operative procedure allows reduction of the iatrogenic trauma by avoiding an additional anterior exposure. Total posterior vertebrectomy has been performed successfully in a total of nine cases in this study. In three early cases the spine was stabilized with posterior transpedicular plate fixation. The six most recent cases in which the AO internal fixator was used have verified the effectiveness of this fixation system. A modification of this technique may be applied to certain primary benign or malignant spinal lesions by allowing appropriate tumor resection margins and anterior corticocancellous bone graft reconstruction.