En Bloc Resection of Thoracic Tumors Invading the Spine: A Single-Center Experience

EnBloc Resection of a Chordoma of the Thoracic Spine by "L"-Shaped Osteotomy for Spinal Canal Preservation

Background/Objectives: EnBloc resections of bone tumors of the spine are very demanding as the target to achieve a tumor-free margin specimen (sometimes impossible due to the extracompartimental tumor extension) is sometimes conflicting with the integrity of neurological functions and spine stability. Methods: The surgical treatment of a huge multi-level chordoma of the thoracic spine with unusual extension is reported. Anteriorly, the tumor widely invaded the mediastinum and displaced the aorta; on the left side, it expanded in the subpleuric region; posteriorly, it was uncommonly distant 13 mm from the posterior wall. Results: EnBloc resection is largely performed for primary bone tumors of the spine and many reports have been published concerning brilliant solutions to difficult issues of surgical anatomy. One of the major challenges is still the compatibility between oncological and functional requirements. Conclusions: Oncological staging, careful imaging analysis, a multidisciplinary surgical team, and utilization of the most recent technologies like navigation and robotics have made an oncologically appropriate EnBloc resection of a multi-level chordoma of the thoracic spine possible without affecting the continuity of the spinal canal and without any involvement of its content by an original "L"-shaped osteotomy.

Complications and Risk Factors in En Bloc Resection of Spinal Tumors: A Retrospective Analysis on 298 Patients Treated in a Single Institution

En bloc resection consists in the surgical removal of a vertebral tumor in a single piece with a sufficient margin, to improve survival and reduce recurrence rate. This procedure is technically demanding and correlates with a high complication rate. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors for complications in en bloc resection and evaluate if benefits overcome the risks in term of overall survival. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data of patients treated with en bloc resection between 1980 and 2021. Complications were classified according to SAVES-V2. Overall Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. A total of 149 patients out of 298 (50%) suffered from at least one complication. Moreover, 220 adverse events were collected (67 intraoperative, 82 early post-operative, 71 late post-operative), 54% of these were classified as grade 3 (in a severity scale from 1 to 6). Ten years overall survival was 67% (95% CI 59-74). The occurrence of relapses was associated to an increased risk of mortality with OR 3.4 (95% CI 2.1-5.5), while complications did not affect the overall survival. Despite a high complication rate, en bloc resection allows for a better control of disease and should be performed in selected patients by specialized surgeons.

A modern multidisciplinary approach to a large cervicothoracic chordoma using staged en bloc resection with intraoperative image-guided navigation and 3D-printed modeling: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Cervicothoracic junction chordomas are uncommon primary spinal tumors optimally treated with en bloc resection. Although en bloc resection is the gold standard for treatment of mobile spinal chordoma, tumor location, size, and extent of involvement frequently complicate the achievement of negative margins. In particular, chordoma involving the thoracic region can require a challenging anterior access, and en bloc resection can lead to a highly destabilized spine.

OBSERVATIONS

Modern technological advances make en bloc resection more technically feasible than ever before. In this case, the successful en bloc resection of a particularly complex cervicothoracic junction chordoma was facilitated by a multidisciplinary surgical approach that maximized the use of intraoperative computed tomography–guided spinal navigation and patient-specific three-dimensional–printed modeling.

LESSONS

The authors review the surgical planning and specific techniques that facilitated the successful en bloc resection of this right-sided chordoma via image-guided parasagittal osteotomy across 2 stages. The integration of emerging visualization technologies into complex spinal column tumor management may help to provide optimal oncological care for patients with challenging primary tumors of the mobile spine.

En bloc resection of a T4B stage cancer of the hepatic flexure of the colon invading the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas/duodenum: A case report

A T4B hepatic flexure of colon cancer that had invaded the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas/duodenum was removed through a D3 expanded right hemicolectomy + pancreaticoduodenectomy +sectional VI and VII hepatic segmentectomy.