A Retrospective Evaluation of Operative and Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Metastases from a Single Center to Compare Vertebrectomy with Combined Vertebrectomy and Radiofrequency Ablation

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study was conducted at a single center and aimed to evaluate operative and postoperative outcomes in patients with spinal metastases using vertebrectomy and combined vertebrectomy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients diagnosed with spinal metastases between April 2009 and March 2016 (n=49) included patients who underwent vertebrectomy (n=26) and patients who underwent combined vertebrectomy and RFA (n=23). The characteristics of the 2 groups were similar in primary tumor types, comorbidities, Tomita score, vertebral involvement, preoperative bone pain, and neurologic deficit. RESULTS: The results showed for the both groups that the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and the neurological status was improved after treatment. Compared with the control group (vertebrectomy only), the combination group (combined vertebrectomy and RFA) had less intraoperative blood loss (P=0.002) and shorter operation time (P<0.001). The recurrence rate was lower (P=0.003) in the patients who received combined treatment, and the period of local recurrence was prolonged (P=0.030) in the combination group. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that the selective use of combined vertebrectomy and RFA significantly reduced surgical time and blood loss, improved recovery of neurologic deficit, and reduced the tumor recurrence rate in patients with spinal metastases.