Partial spondylectomy: Modification for lateralized malignant spinal column tumors of the cervical or lumbosacral spine

Total en bloc spondylectomy is a useful technique in treating primary and secondary spinal malignancies, but requires extensive instrumentation to achieve difficult fusions, and requires extensive exposure of neurovascular structures that poses additional risk of nerve root and vascular injury. More limited resections may reduce these risks, especially in the cervical or lumbosacral spine. We report a technique used in two patients with lateralized primary vertebral tumors of the cervical or lumbosacral spine where tumor removal was achieved through a partial spondylectomy. The advantages of a partial spondylectomy included: (i) avoidance of injuring contralateral neurovascular structures during exposure; and (ii) supplementation of instrumentation by additional fixation at the level of spondylectomy. Partial spondylectomy can be an alternative to total en bloc spondylectomy in properly selected patients with lateralized encapsulated malignant spinal tumors and may be performed in the cervical or lumbosacral spinal regions.