title: Operative treatment of thoraco-lumbar metastases, using methylmetacrylate and Kempf's rods for vertebral replacement and stabilization. Report of 15 cases.
abstract: The authors report their experience in the treatment of 15 cases in thoracolumbar metastases with spinal cord compression. A decompressive laminectomy was routinely performed and followed by a transversoarthropediculectomy. Most part of the neoplastic tissue was removed from the epidural space, vertebral body and retroperitoneal or retro-pleural areas. Complete decompression of the nervous elements was always achieved. Stabilization was obtained by replacement of the neoplastic vertebral body with a methylmetacrylate prothesis and eventually by Kempf's compression instrumentation. The surgical treatment was completed in a single stage operation, by a classical posterolateral approach. Orthopaedic, neurologic and oncologic advantages of this treatment are discussed.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates