Vertebrectomy in metastatic spinal tumours: A 10 year, single-centre review of outcomes and survival

Abstract

Metastatic disease to the vertebral column can cause spinal instability, neurological deterioration and pain. The present study was designed to provide insight into the cohort undergoing vertebrectomy for metastatic disease to the spinal column, assessing the associated morbidity, functional outcomes and survival. A retrospective review of 141 consecutive vertebrectomies for metastatic disease was undertaken. The procedures were performed between 2006 and 2016 at a single institution. Medical records were reviewed and data was obtained regarding primary malignancy, presenting symptoms, pre-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score, neurological function, operative approach and duration, blood loss, transfusion requirement, complications, survival, delayed neurological deterioration and construct failure. Long-term follow-up data was available for 123 patients. Forty-two patients were alive at the time of review with a mean survival of 464 days. Post-operative neurological function was preserved or improved in 96.5% of patients. Five patients suffered a neurological deterioration post-operatively. The major complication rate was 19.8% with the most frequent complication being wound infection or dehiscence requiring revision. There were four inpatient deaths. Mean operative time was 240 min. Mean blood loss was 1490 mls. When assessing results by age, no significant difference with respect to complications, neurological outcomes or survival was demonstrated in patients over age 65. There was a significant reduction in survival and higher complication rates in patients who were non-ambulatory following vertebrectomy. Vertebrectomy is a safe and effective means of providing circumferential neural decompression and stabilization with an acceptable complication rate in patients with vertebral metastases, irrespective of age.

Keywords: Corpectomy; Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC); Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS); Vertebral metastases; Vertebrectomy.