title: [Clinical analysis of 542 intraspinal tumors microsurgically resected by hemilaminectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the advantages, disadvantages and indications of hemilaminectomy for microsurgical resection of intraspinal tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinical data of 542 cases of intraspinal tumors microsurgically resected by hemilaminectomy during the period from January 2005 to December 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tumors were totally removed in 501 cases (92%). The average postoperative stay was 5.2 days. Postoperative follow-ups ranged from 6 months to 3 years (mean 9 months). The clinical symptoms of 495 cases (91%) improved. No tumor recurrence was reported in the totally removed cases. The stability of vertebral column was excellent and there was no spinal deformity in these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With many advantages of minimal trauma, milder postoperative reaction, shorter length of recovery and better spinal stabilization, hemilaminectomy can be used for microsurgical resection of all lateralized epidural, subdural-extramedullary and some benign intramedullary tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Hai-feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kai-yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Guo-ping
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Si-qing
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult