title: Dura resection in combination with en bloc spondylectomy for primary malignant tumors of the spine.
abstract: METHODS
  Resection of a primary malignant tumor of the bone with wide surgical margins has become the golden standard in oncological surgery. In the case of a spinal tumor with tumor invasion of the spinal canal, a wide resection could necessitate resection and subsequent replacement of part of the dura.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dura replacement is a consequent surgical step in the treatment of primary malignant tumors of the spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 27-year-old male with a tumor of the dorsal elements of D6. After paraplegic symptoms, a laminectomy of D5 to D7 was performed and histologic examination revealed the presence of an osteosarcoma. After neoadjuvant polychemotherapy, a wide resection of the dorsal elements from D4 to D7 combined with a resection of the dorsal part of the dura was planned. Replacement of the dura was performed with Lyodura (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany). The spine was stabilized with an ISOLA instrumentation (Depuy International Ltd., Leeds, England). For wound closure, a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap and split skin graft were necessary. In a second step, ventral spondylodesis with Texas Scottish Rite Hospital instrumentation (Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN) was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred sixteen months after surgery the patient is alive without evidence of disease, is pain free, and has returned to his profession and life without any restrictions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Vienna, Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna 1090, Austria. petra.krepler@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krepler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Windhager
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Toma
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kotz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome