OBJECTIVETo study the surgical indications, approaches and the clinical results of the total spondylectomy and instrumentation reconstruction in the treatment of cervical spinal tumor.

METHODSFrom October 1998 to October 2003, 39 patients with lower cervical bone tumors, including 34 cases with primary tumor and 5 cases with metastatic tumor, were admitted and operated on with total spondylectomy. The patients underwent anteroposterior total spondylectomy including anterior cervical plating, titanium mesh reconstruction and posterior instrumentation based on the location of tumor lesions in the lower cervical spine. One vertebral level total spondylectomy was performed in 29 cases, two level in 7 cases and three level in 3 cases.

RESULTSThe postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. A majority of patients achieved good results postoperatively. Nineteen cases had complete relief of neurological status. One patient died of multiple metastases and systemic failure 24 months later. One case with malignant neurilemmoma developed local recurrence one year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONAnteroposterior total spondylectomy and reconstruction can reduce local recurrence, improve neurological function and increase operation therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, the technique of cervical total spondylectomy carries relatively greater risks and should be more attention to the operation indication.