Therapeutic effect of microsurgery through hemilaminectomy approach on extramedullary spinal tumor

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of microsurgery through hemilaminectomy approach on extramedullary spinal tumor. Methods: Hemilaminectomy was performed on 45 patients with extramedullary spinal tumor. Of the 45 patients, 35 had intradural extramedullary spinal tumors and 10 dumbbell-shaped spinal tumors. Spinal schwannoma occurred in 36 patients and spinal meningioma in 9 patients. Of the 45 patients, 32 had cervical spinal tumors, 6 thoracic spinal tumors and 7 lumbar spinal tumors. Results: In the 45 patients, tumors were completely removed. During 6 to 48-month follow-up, signs and symptoms were markedly improved; and no new nerve damage, complications, spine malformation and tumor recurrence occurred in all patients. Conclusion: Hemilaminectomy is a good method for treatment of lateral or latero-dorsal intradural extramedullary spinal tumors, and dumbbell-shaped spinal tumors because it has some advantages, such as slight operation wound, few complications and good spinal stabilization.