Dual expandable interbody cage utilization for enhanced stability in vertebral column reconstruction following thoracolumbar corpectomy: A report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar corpectomies require adequate anterior column spinal reconstruction, often achieved through a single static or expandable cage. Patients with larger vertebrae, or those who require a larger footprint of reconstruction placed via a posterior approach are technically challenging. The aim of this report was to describe a novel approach for reconstruction using two smaller expandable cages following corpectomy, in the setting of tumor and trauma. METHODS: These technical reports illustrate a novel intraoperative technique with reconstruction via dual expandable cages implanted posteriorly from a bilateral costotransversectomy and transpedicular approaches. Due to the smaller size of each cage, implantation in the vertebral column was achieved with minimal retraction of the spinal cord. RESULTS: Two patients underwent urgent corpectomy in the thoracolumbar spine using this technique. Clinical improvement was evident post-surgery and adequate spine stabilization was confirmed radiographically without cage migration or subsidence, at up to one year of clinical follow up. No iatrogenic neurological deficits were reported in each case as well. CONCLUSION: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a corpectomy where this surgical technique was implemented in the thoracolumbar spine. This technique created a large footprint of reconstruction with less retraction on the spinal cord during surgery, reducing the potential for neurological complications. An alternative strategy is to place a larger footprint reconstruction through an anterior or lateral approach; however, these techniques also have potential morbidity which require consideration.