Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Spinal metastatic disease may damage the spinal stability and cause the compression of the spinal cord. Therefore sugery treatment is always required.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate an anterior approach for lower cervical metastasis tumor lesion.
METHODS: A total of 30 patients with lower cervical metastatic tumor underwent anterior debridement, titanium mesh bone grafting and titanium plate internal fixation. Operation time, activity off bed, complication and Frankel scores were recorded. X-ray films were performed to detect implant position, Some patients additionally underwent MRI examination.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The operation time was 90-150 minutes, and the bleeding during operation was 100-600 mL. There was no postoperative complication. All patients were followed up for 12-24 months with an average time of 14 months, during which 3 patients were dead of systemic metastatic cancer. At the last follow-up visit, 9 patients had Frankel Grade D improved to Grade E. There was no breakage of nails or failure of the internal fixation during the follow up. Tumor in lower cervical body treated with anterior debridement, titanium mesh bone grafting and titanium plate internal fixation achieved a high satisfactory rate in clearance of lesion and restoring spinal stability. Moreover, the patients can move early.