Transoral resection of spinal cord tumors and posterior cervical spine stabilization

Transoral resection of an anterior spinal cord tumor consists of three major phases: corpectomy (i.e., removal of vertebral bodies), tumor resection, and duraplasty (i.e., repair of the dura mater). A second surgical procedure, posterior stabilization of the occiput to the C3 vertebra, consists of an iliac crest bone graft for cervical spine fusion and the application of a rigid fixation device. This article describes a patient who underwent a transoral resection of an extramedullary intradural tumor at the C2-C3 level of the spinal cord and a posterior cervical spine stabilization procedure. Perioperative nursing concerns and interventions are discussed from the standpoint of the patient's physical and mental postoperative recovery.