title: Midsacral amputation for en bloc resection of chordoma.
abstract: En bloc resection, with adequate surgical margins, of primary malignant bone tumors of the sacrum is associated with long term disease control and potential cure. Resection of sacral tumors is difficult due to the proximity of neurovascular and visceral structures, and complete, or even partial, sacrectomy often results in functional loss for the patient.
  
  
  
  We describe the technique for en bloc resection of a sacral chordoma through a mid-sacral amputation.
  
  
  
  We demonstrate successful removal of a large sacral tumor with wide surgical margins while preserving neurologic function.
  
  
  
  This technique for midsacral amputation to remove a sacral tumor en bloc minimizes local recurrence and maximizes neurovascular function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Ganesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suk
authors.forename: Ziya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gokaslan
authors.forename: Laurence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Rhines
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002817:Chordoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome