Clinical study of performing total en bloc spondylectomy with conventional instruments

Abstract

BackgroundTotal en bloc spondylectomy(TES) has been increasingly used in the treatment of spinal tumors. The TES operation is complex, and many special instruments are used during the operation. Surgeons have invented a variety of surgical instruments for TES; however, these special surgical instruments are difficult to popularize.The aim of this study was to discuss the feasibility of using conventional instruments in TES. MethodsFrom June 2016 to December 2021,we performed TES surgery for 49 patients by using conventional instruments.Observation items included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the visualanalogue scale (VAS) before, after, and 3 months after surgery,and the The Frankel grading system scores before, and 3 months after surgery. ResultsAll the 49 patients were successfully treated with the TES surgery. The operating time ranged from 4 to 7 h(mean 5.6 h).The amount of blood loss varied from 800 to 4000 ml(mean 2248 ml).None of the 49 patients developed surgical complications, such as dural tear,spinal cord injury, or large vascular injury. The mean VAS score before surgery was 6.8.24 h after surgery, it had declined to was 3.4. 3 months after surgery, it had declined to 1.3.The Frankel grading system was significantly improved 3 months later. ConclusionsIn this study, we performed TES surgery with conventional instruments. The operation procedure was simplified and refined, and the affected vertebra was resected effectively and safely.The application of conventional instruments for TES surgery has achieved good results and can improve the application and popularity of TES surgery.