Purely Posterior Approach Resection For Large Spinal Dumbbell-Shaped Tumors Extend Into The Thoracic Cavity

ObjectiveTo study the surgical technique and to evaluate the outcome of purely posterior resection for large spinal dumbbell-shaped tumors that extend into the thoracic cavity.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 12 cases of large dumbbell-shaped tumors that extend into the thoracic cavity our department admitted between February 2012 and February 2014,all cases were operated through a purely posterior approach, operation data were compared with similar cases that through thoracoscopic combined with posterior approach and posterior combined with paravertebral approach in literaturesResultsAll patients in 3 groups were achieved total resection, one patient in our group required spinal internal fixation, operation time was 120-315minutes,mean 195 minutes, blood loss was 50-300ml, mean 205ml; in the thoracoscopic combined with posterior approach group, operation time was 320-340minutes,mean 328 minutes, with 450-500ml blood loss, mean 483ml; all patients in the posterior combined with paravertebral approach group required spinal internal fixation, operation time was 185-420minutes,mean 313 minutes, with 71-1830ml blood loss, mean 657ml.ConclusionsMost cases of large spinal dumbbell-shaped tumors that extend into the thoracic cavity can be totally resected by purely posterior approach without thoracotomy,or assisted approach and rib resection, this surgical approach is minimally invasive with shorter operation time and less blood loss.