Partial Sacrectomy for Sacral Chordomas:A Surgical Perspective

Abstract

Sacral chordomas are locally aggressive tumors that grow slowly and often involve the sacral nerve roots leading to bladder disturbances. The treatment of these tumors involves utmost care as it can lead to tumor recurrence and neurological morbidity. We present our experience of 6 patients with sacral chordomas out of 17 patients with sacral lesions, where we have treated them with partial sacrectomies. In all of our cases, we have preserved at least one S2 root and postsurgery 83.33% of patients had intact bowel and bladder function. The lumbopelvic fixation was done in one of the cases as we have preserved the stability of the sacroiliac (SI) joint, as all osteotomy was done below S1. None of the patients had recurrence with an average follow-up of 4.1 years. This study aims at describing the surgical steps in managing a sacral chordoma.