Laminoplasty using the Posterior Midline Approach in the Treatment of C1-2 Spinal Tumors.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the method and efficacy of vertebral reconstruction using the posterior midline approach (PMA) in the treatment of C1-2 spinal tumors. Twenty-seven patients with C1-2 spinal tumors from the Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, who underwent microsurgical tumor resection through an occipitocervical PMA and spinal reset-reconstruction from January 2007 to December 2013, were enrolled in the study. The clinical data and results of these patients were analyzed and summarized. All patients underwent a successful complete tumor resection, with no operative deaths. The postoperative pathological diagnoses were schwannoma, neurofibroma, and meningioma in 21, 1, and 5 cases, respectively. The follow-up period was 4-48 months. Postoperatively, 1 patient was independent in daily activities, and 26 patients were able to live and work normally. No significant change was found between preoperative and postoperative MRI sequences of the cervical spine, and no cervical instability and tumor recurrence had occurred. PMA is suitable as the preferred approach for resection of C1-2 spinal tumors, and the vertebral reconstruction maintains spinal stability.