Surgical management of metastatic spinal neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
In this study the authors retrospectively review outcomes in patients treated for metastases to the spine. Surgery for metastatic tumors to the spine remains an important part of the treatment armamentarium. Maximum tumor resection with a minimum number of complications is one of the goals of surgery. Current surgical procedures include tumor resection and spinal stabilization for optimal results.


METHODS
The records of 96 patients who underwent surgery for a metastatic spine tumor at the authors' institution were reviewed. Spinal instrumentation was used in the majority of patients. Ambulatory status was maintained in 91% and pain improved in 94% of patients. Complications included infection (5.2%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (2%), and delayed hardware failure (3.1%). The mortality rate was 4.1%; the main cause was due to tumor progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery is indicated in a select group of patients with metastatic tumors to the spine. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for patient selection and complication avoidance. Surgical options, including approach, type of reconstruction and extent of resection (including en bloc spondylectomy) need to be addressed for optimal outcomes.
Vrionis
Frank D
FD
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Neuro-Oncology Program, and Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine and Florida Orthopedic Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA. vrionif@moffit.usf.edu
Small
John
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D010166:Palliative Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery