Dorsal paravertebral soft tissue sarcoma: considerations on the technique of surgical treatment

Three patients are presented with soft tissue sarcomas of the dorsal paravertebral region. Wide surgical excision was possible because the spinous processes, the hemilaminae and the transverse processes adjacent to the tumour, were resected en bloc with the tumour. The key to this operation is a contralateral hemilaminectomy, which enables the resection to be carried out under full visual control of the spinal cord. No spinal cord injuries occurred. The main problem encountered after resection was pain due to instability of the spine in 2 patients. Factors determining spinal instability and indications for primary internal stabilization are discussed.