New posterior column reconstruction using titanium lamina mesh after total en bloc spondylectomy of spinal tumour.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of titanium lamina mesh for posterior column reconstruction after total en bloc spondylectomy in patients with spinal tumour and evaluate the radiographic outcomes of this method. METHOD: Eight patients who underwent total en bloc spondylectomy with posterior column reconstruction using titanium lamina mesh and bone graft to treat a spinal tumour were included in this study. The mean age at the time of surgery was 50.6 years (range, 16.5-70.9 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 50.2 months (range, 28.1-68.7 months). The pathological lesions were located from the T2 to L1 vertebrae. There were four patients in each primary and metastatic tumour group. For the posterior column reconstruction, titanium lamina mesh was used and bone graft was applied over the lamina mesh. Radiographic evaluation was used to investigate the displacement of lamina mesh and union of the grafted bone above lamina mesh. RESULTS: At the postoperative six month follow-up, a bony bridge on the titanium mesh between upper and lower adjacent lamina was observed in all cases, except for one with infection. On the last follow-up, there was no collapse or displacement of titanium lamina mesh, and there was no instability or malalignment of the spinal column. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior column reconstruction using titanium lamina mesh during total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal tumour was a useful surgical option that provided new lamina reconstruction for stability of spinal column and protection of the neural elements.