Total Body Replacement with an Expandable Cage after en Bloc Lumbar Spondylectomy

Abstract

Complete vertebral tumor resection is important in order to prevent local recurrence. Among the available techniques for total spondylectomy, the total en bloc spondylectomy has been accepted as the most sophisticated one. After a total en bloc spondylectomy, anterior and posterior column reconstruction is mandatory in order to achieve stability. We experienced the usefulness of an expandable cage for anterior column reconstruction especially in this surgery. The chance of cutting the nerve root and damaging the spinal cord is minimized because the size of the expandable cage is initially small enough to be inserted into the anterior column. The technical details of total vertebral body replacement with an expandable cage after an en bloc lumbar spondylectomy are described herein.