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En-bloc resection of a chordoma in L3 by a combined open posterior and less invasive retroperitoneal approach: technical description and case report

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

To fulfill oncological criteria, extensive open anterior and posterior approaches are usually performed in the lumbar spine to obtain an appropriate en-bloc spondylectomy. It is commonly accepted that the price of a tumor-free margin includes such extensive incisions and soft-tissue damage, with consequent relevant blood loss and possible postoperative complications as delayed wound healing. In this article, a case of chordoma in L3 is presented, submitted to an oncologically appropriate en-bloc resection performed by an open posterior approach combined with a mini-retroperitoneal approach. The successful oncologic procedure was combined with a short and uneventful postoperative course.

Materials and methods

The authors present the surgical technique and the possible challenges of minimally invasive anterior oncologic surgery as a contribution to a limited literature.

Results

Up to date, palliative care of single metastases has been the main setting in which anterior, minimally invasive surgery has been performed in the lumbar spine. The authors explained how, in selected cases, this approach can be performed in combination with an open posterior access for an oncologically appropriate treatment of a primary malignant tumor.

Conclusion

Anterior, minimally invasive surgery can have a role in selected patients with primary malignant tumors of the lumbar spine. The surgical team should have extensive training both in oncologic and minimally invasive surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy

    Pedro Berjano, Alice Baroncini, Riccardo Cecchinato, Francesco Langella & Stefano Boriani

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, RWTH Uniklinik Aachen, Aachen, Germany

    Alice Baroncini

Authors
  1. Pedro Berjano
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  2. Alice Baroncini
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  3. Riccardo Cecchinato
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  4. Francesco Langella
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  5. Stefano Boriani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alice Baroncini.

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Conflict of interest

Pedro Berjano: grants and personal fees from Nuvasive, personal fees from Depuy Sinthes, personal fees from Medacta, personal fees from Zimmer, personal fees from K2M, personal fees from Medtronic, and grants from Stoeckli Medical, from null, outside the submitted work; Alice Baroncini: none; Riccardo Cecchinato: personal fees from Nuvasive and personal fees from Medacta, outside the submitted work; Francesco Langella: none; Stefano Boriani: personal fees from Nuvasive and personal fees from Stryker, outside the submitted work.

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Berjano, P., Baroncini, A., Cecchinato, R. et al. En-bloc resection of a chordoma in L3 by a combined open posterior and less invasive retroperitoneal approach: technical description and case report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 143, 801–808 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-04177-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-04177-4

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