We have developed a surgical technique of total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) through
a posterior approach applied to solitary metastatic vertebral tumors. Our TES is a
radical en bloc resection of a whole vertebra in two parts with an oncological wide
margin to obtain local curability. It consists of two steps: (1) en bloc laminectomy
and setting of posterior spinal instrumentation for stabilization and (2) en bloc
corpectomy and replacement by a vertebral prosthesis. We have performed this procedure
in 72 patients with malignant vertebral tumors. Three of these 72 patients had local
recurrence. TES is the most radical method for malignant spinal tumors.
Total en bloc spondylectomy - vertebral tumor - surgical classification