Unilateral hemilaminectomy for the microsurgical removal of intraspinal tumors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of unilateral hemilaminectomy for the microsurgical removal of intraspinal tumors. Methods Clinical data of 19 patients with intraspinal tumors were analyzed from August 2008 to April 2013. All cases were treated microsurgically using unilateral hemilaminectomy procedures. Results Tumors were totally removed in all patients, including 12 cases of schwannoma, 1 case of neurofibroma, 5 cases of spinal meningioma and 1 case of hemangioblastoma. After operation signs and symptoms of every patient were significantly improved. Postoperative follow-up period was 6-60 months. No recurrence and spinal instability were found. The average area of intraoperative unilateral hemilaminectomy was (15 ± 2) mm × (32 ± 5) mm. Conclusion Unilateral hemilaminectomy for the removal of intraspinal tumors is a mini-invasive procedure, and is beneficial to the stability of spine, with the advantages of short hospitalization time, slight postoperative reaction and good long-term outcome. However, the procedure requires a skilled technology.

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2013.11.007

Video: http://www.cjcnn.org/index.php/cjcnn/pages/view/v13n11a7