Neurological Outcome Following Surgical Treatment of Spinal Metastases

Background Data: Spinal metastases lead to bony instability and spinal cord compression resulting in intractable pain and neurological deficits which affects ambulatory function and quality of life, the most appropriate treatment for spinal metastasis is still debated. Purpose: The aim of this study to evaluate clinical, quality of life, complications and survival outcomes after surgical treatment of spinal metastases. Design: It is a retrospective study. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of patients with spinal metastases surgically treated at our facility between March 2008 and March 2013 was performed. Evaluations include hospital charts, initial and interval imaging studies, neurological outcome and surgical complications, Follow-up examinations were performed every three months after surgery Results: 70 patients underwent surgical intervention for treatment of spinal metastasis in our institution. There were 27 women and 43 men. Preoperative pain was reported in 65 patients (93%), whereas postoperative complete pain relief was reported in 16 patients (24%) and pain levels decreased in 38 patients (58%). Preoperative 39 patients were ambulant and 31 patients were non-ambulant. Postoperative 52 patients were ambulant and 18 patients were non-ambulant. Postoperative complications were experienced in 10 (14.2%) patients, the patient survival rate was 71% (50 patients) at 3 months, 49 %( 34 patients) at 1 year. The postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 4.2%. Conclusion: Surgical decompression for metastatic spinal tumor can improve quality of life in a substantially high percentage of patients with acceptable complications rate. (2015ESJ080