title: [Spinal stabilization in extradural metastatic disease. Indications and follow-up of 32 cases].
abstract: Over 4.5 years, 32 patients with spinal epidural metastases were decompressed and stabilized. Median survival was 9.5 months. Myelopathy was the predominant indication (41%) for the operation, intractable pain (microinstability) the second most important. The type of tumor spreading and biomechanics necessitated ventral decompression and stabilization in 65%. Corporectomy or extensive laminectomy was always combined with internal fixation and bone cement. With the exception of six patients (5 early deaths), all patients were able to walk after surgery. The Karnofsky index was improved significantly from 35 to 66%. The longest survival time was found in breast carcinomas and myelomas. Preoperative radiological embolization was a keystone in the treatment. Indication for surgery in spinal metastases is critical and needs an interdisciplinary approach. When the patient is suffering from higher degrees of paresis or even paralysis, he/she is no longer an ideal candidate for the operation. The same applies in the presence of uncontrolled primary tumors and neoplastic disease of the GI tract and the bronchus.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-,Hand- und Plastiche Chirurgie, Zentralkrankenhaus Reinkenheide, Bremerhaven.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: von Pawel-Rammingen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed