Thoracic / lumbar corpectomy

Thoracic and lumbar corpectomy cage placement is a reconstructive spinal procedure used to restore stability after removal of part or all of a vertebral body in the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) spine. A specialized cage is placed where the vertebral body once existed to support the spine, maintain alignment, and protect the spinal cord or nerves.

Quick Facts:

  • Replaces a damaged or removed vertebral body
  • Restores spinal stability and alignment
  • Commonly performed for tumors, fractures, infections, and severe spinal compression
  • Often combined with screws, rods, and spinal fusion

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👉 Corpectomy Cage Reconstruction Information Packet

WHAT IS THORACIC AND LUMBAR CORPECTOMY CAGE PLACEMENT?

A corpectomy is a procedure in which part or all of a vertebral body is removed. After the vertebral body is removed, a cage is placed into the resulting space to reconstruct the spine and restore stability.

The procedure involves:

  • Removing part or all of a damaged vertebral body
  • Decompressing the spinal cord and/or nerves
  • Inserting a structural cage into the defect
  • Restoring spinal alignment and support
  • Stabilizing the spine with instrumentation when necessary

The cage functions as an internal support structure that allows the spine to heal and fuse over time.

👉 The goal is to safely reconstruct the spine while restoring stability and protecting neurologic function.

WHY IS CORPECTOMY CAGE PLACEMENT PERFORMED?

Corpectomy reconstruction is performed when the vertebral body itself has become a source of spinal instability, deformity, or neurologic compression.

Common Indications

👉 Corpectomy reconstruction is typically reserved for conditions that cannot be adequately treated with decompression alone.

SYMPTOMS THAT MAY REQUIRE CORPECTOMY RECONSTRUCTION

Common Symptoms

  • Back pain
  • Leg pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Balance problems

Typical Pattern

  • Symptoms may result from spinal cord compression, nerve compression, instability, or vertebral body collapse
  • Pain often worsens as instability progresses
  • Neurologic symptoms may gradually worsen over time

🚨 When Surgery May Be More Urgent

  • Progressive weakness
  • Significant spinal cord compression
  • Inability to walk
  • Unstable fractures
  • Progressive neurologic decline
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

Step-by-Step Overview

Anesthesia

  • Performed under general anesthesia

Surgical Approach

  • The spine may be accessed through anterior, lateral, posterior, posterolateral, or combined approaches depending on the location of the pathology

Corpectomy

  • Part or all of the affected vertebral body is removed
  • Compression on the spinal cord and/or nerves is relieved

Preparation of Reconstruction Site

  • Adjacent vertebral endplates are prepared
  • Measurements are obtained for cage sizing

Cage Placement

  • A structural cage is inserted into the defect
  • The cage restores spinal height, alignment, and support

Instrumentation

  • Pedicle screws and rods are commonly placed above and below the reconstruction

Fusion

  • Bone graft is placed to encourage long-term fusion

👉 The cage restores the structural integrity of the anterior column of the spine while fusion develops.

OUR APPROACH

Corpectomy reconstruction is one of the most powerful techniques available for restoring spinal stability after vertebral body destruction or collapse.

We carefully evaluate:

  • The cause of vertebral body damage
  • Degree of spinal cord or nerve compression
  • Presence of instability
  • Overall spinal alignment
  • Bone quality
  • Need for circumferential stabilization

Advanced technologies such as neuronavigation, intraoperative imaging, and neuromonitoring are frequently utilized to improve surgical accuracy and safety.

Whenever possible, we select approaches that provide excellent decompression while minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption.

👉 Our goal is complete neural decompression combined with durable spinal reconstruction.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Before Surgery

  • MRI of the spine
  • CT scan for bony anatomy
  • Standing radiographs when appropriate
  • Medical evaluation and surgical planning
  • Bone density assessment when indicated

Day of Surgery

  • Performed under general anesthesia
  • Often includes spinal reconstruction and instrumentation
  • Surgical duration depends on the complexity of the condition

After Surgery

  • Hospital stay is common
  • Walking begins as soon as medically appropriate
  • Physical therapy may be recommended
  • Recovery occurs over weeks to months
  • Fusion develops gradually over time

OUTCOMES & RISKS

Potential Benefits

  • Relief of spinal cord or nerve compression
  • Improved spinal stability
  • Restoration of vertebral height
  • Correction of deformity
  • Preservation or improvement of neurologic function
  • Reduced pain

Risks

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Cerebrospinal fluid leak
  • Nerve injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Hardware failure
  • Cage migration
  • Cage subsidence
  • Failure of fusion
  • Need for revision surgery

👉 Outcomes are influenced by the underlying diagnosis, severity of neurologic dysfunction, bone quality, and successful fusion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a corpectomy?
A corpectomy is the removal of part or all of a vertebral body to treat spinal instability, fractures, tumors, infections, or neural compression.

What is the cage made of?
Most cages are manufactured from titanium or other biocompatible materials designed to provide long-term structural support and facilitate fusion. To learn more, click here for the link to interbody cages.

Will I need screws and rods as well?
In most cases, yes. Additional stabilization is typically necessary to support the reconstruction while fusion develops.

Is this procedure performed for spinal tumors?
Yes. Corpectomy cage reconstruction is commonly used when tumors involve the vertebral body and compromise spinal stability.

How long does fusion take?
Fusion typically develops over several months and continues to mature over time.

FOR REFERRING PHYSICIANS

Refer patients with:

  • Vertebral body tumors
  • Metastatic spinal disease
  • Burst fractures
  • Vertebral body collapse
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Thoracic or lumbar instability
  • Progressive spinal cord or nerve compression

Imaging:

  • MRI of the affected region
  • CT scan of the affected region
  • Standing radiographs when appropriate
  • Metastatic workup when indicated

Consider:

  • Degree of instability
  • Neurologic deficits
  • Tumor burden
  • Presence of infection
  • Bone quality
  • Need for reconstruction versus decompression alone

RELATED CONDITIONS / PROCEDURES

NEXT STEPS…

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