By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
Total Enbloc Spondylectomy is a major surgery for spine tumor with the aim to eradicate the disease. This operation is reserved for a localised spine tumor – instead of widespread tumor. This operation removes the disease without cutting into the tumor tissue. The tumor is removed as a whole. This reduces the risk of spread of tumor during surgery. It is technically demanding.
Not everyone with spine tumor is suitable to undergo this operation. The selection criteria is very strict to achieve the goal to eradicate the disease. Most of spine tumor occurs as a result of a spread of tumor from other place. If the tumor already spreads to other parts of the body, Total Enbloc Spondylectomy is no longer a suitable operation.
The patient needs to understand the whole treatment plan. Surgery is not the last treatment. They often need to undergo chemotherapy and radiation after the surgery. In order for this treatment to work, the patients must be willing to undergo the whole treatment plan from the start to the end.
If you or your loved one suffers from spine tumor, you need to see a spine surgeon with adequate experience in spine tumor surgery. Extensive investigations need to be done to determine if Total Enblock Spondylectomy is a suitable operation.
Dr Tony Setiobudi is an Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats bone, joint, muscle and ligament problems in adults and children. He has a special interest in nerve compression and spine problems such as back & neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, spine tumor & infection, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis fracture, spinal stenosis and slipped disc.