Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

Radical excision of malignant sacral tumors using a modified threadwire saw.

Osaka S, Kondoh O, Yoshida Y, Ryu J

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. osamu-k@eva.hi-ho.ne.jp

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of malignant sacral tumors is difficult, and has a high rate of recurrence. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the wide margin of large and small malignant sacral tumors using a threadwire saw (T-saw). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We devised a flexible silver guide probe connected to a modified threadwire saw by a suture thread to perform osteotomies. We operated on 10 patients with sacral tumors using this device. The sacral excisions were performed via a posterior approach by four surgeons (two on each side) working simultaneously. RESULTS: We obtained a wide margin in all cases and no recurrence, after a mean follow-up of 4 years 2 months (range, 1 year 8 months-7 years 8 months). In one case, one nerve root on the right side was injured. CONCLUSIONS: Our new method is easier and faster than the conventional method in cases in which bilateral sacral nerve root canals require sectioning, and it produces a wide tumor margin.

Published 28 February 2006 in J Surg Oncol, 93(4): 312-7.
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