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Corpectomy

What is Thoracic Corpectomy?

Thoracic corpectomy is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure on a nerve at the thoracic region (upper and middle back) by removing the source of the compression.

Thoracic Spine Anatomy

The thoracic spine is the central part of the spine. The spine is made up of 24 spinal bones, called vertebrae, of which, the thoracic region of the spine is made up of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12). The vertebrae are aligned on top of one another to form the spinal cord, which gives your body its posture. The different parts of the thoracic spine include bone and joints, nerves, connective tissues, muscles and spinal segment.

Indications for Thoracic Corpectomy

Thoracic corpectomy is indicated for conditions such as degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, tumour, fracture and infection leading to spinal compression, which causes pain, weakness, and numbness in various parts of the body.

The objective of thoracic corpectomy is to stabilise the spine post injury or trauma, remove infected bone material or tumour, and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Preparation for Thoracic Corpectomy

A preoperative assessment will be made before thoracic corpectomy to check your overall health and to make sure you are ready for the surgery. Make sure to inform your doctor about any medications or supplements that you may be taking, especially medications that can thin your blood such as aspirin. Your doctor may recommend stopping these meds temporarily before your surgery. Make sure to inform your doctor about any allergy to medications or latex. If you are a smoker, inform your doctor as nicotine prevents bone fusion needed for long-term spinal stability. Your doctor may provide you with options to help quit smoking. Your doctor will also discuss about the need to avoid food and drink past midnight the night prior to your surgery.

Procedure for Thoracic Corpectomy

Thoracic corpectomy is carried out under general anaesthesia. You will lie on your side during the procedure. An oblique incision is made. Important organs are moved aside to protect them during the surgery. The surgery involves two stages – decompression and fusion. To decompress the nerve, the presence of bone spurs, tumours, or fractures causing the compression are removed. This is followed by fusion, where deformed or diseased vertebrae are removed along with the intervertebral discs, and the adjacent vertebrae are then fused. A bone graft is placed in this region to provide stability and a metal plate with screws may be used to provide added support. The procedure typically takes 3-4 hours to complete.

Postoperative Care for Thoracic Corpectomy

Post surgery, most patients will have immediate relief from severe back pain, while some symptoms may take some time to improve. You will require some time to recover ranging from 3-7 days. You will be prescribed pain medications to keep you comfortable. A brace may sometimes be necessary depending on the condition of the spine and the extent of bone removal. You will be encouraged to increase your physical activities as tolerated and to refrain from strenuous activities. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments 4-6 weeks post surgery to monitor your progress, and based on the bone healing, a customised physiotherapy program will be designed as part of your recovery plan. The time required to return to normal routine activities varies considerably from one individual to another depending on their physical condition.

Risks and Complications of Thoracic Corpectomy

As with any surgical procedure, thoracic corpectomy involves potential risks and complications that may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Damage to nerves
  • Persistent pain
  • Anaesthetic complications
  • Broken hardware
  • Implant migration
  • Thrombophlebitis or deep venous thrombosis
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Sexual dysfunction