A case study using total en bloc sacrectomy and neuroanastomosis for sacral tumor.

Abstract

To study the oncological and functional outcomes of patients undergoing en bloc tumor excisions and neuroanastomosis for sacral tumors. Five patients who underwent en bloc total sacrectomy and neuroanastomosis from January 2006 to August 2010 were observed. A procedure combining the anterior and posterior approach was used on these patients. Neuroanastomosis was performed after sacrectomy. Perioperative complications and postoperative functions in these patients were analyzed. All patients had partial or complete loss of bladder and bowel functions, foot plantar flexion weakness and increased residual urine volume after surgery. Three patients were ambulatory. After 6 months, four patients were disease-free, two patients reported slightly improved bladder and bowel functions, four patients could ambulate with a walking stick and the one patient with sarcoma had other metastases and died after 8 months. After 1 year, two patients reported improved bladder and bowel functions, one patient slightly improved bladder and bowel functions and there was no change in one patient. Successful neuroanastomosis of sacral nerve roots does not occur in all patients, but lower limb, bladder and bowel functions can improve with time after the surgery.