Surgical treatment of spinal metastases

Between 1985 and 1991, thirty-one patients with spinal metastases were operated in our department. The aim of the surgical treatment is to abolish pain and instability caused by neurological involvement and bony invasion. Anterior decompression with fixation by means of a methylmethacrylate cement block was used. In some cases additional posterior fixation was used in a second procedure. Pain was reduced in 78% of the patients, and 70% underwent improvement of their neurological status. The quality of life was improved, but the short survival confirms the palliative nature of this kind of surgery.