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Vertebral Body Resection in Bhubaneswar

Vertebral Body Resection

Vertebral Body Resection in Bhubaneswar

Vertebral Body Resection is a surgical procedure designed to remove part or all of a vertebral body to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This operation often involves a Discectomy, which is the removal of intervertebral discs, followed by a Spinal Fusion to stabilise the spine. It is commonly performed in the cervical spine (neck region) to relieve nerve compression.

This procedure is typically recommended for individuals with spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), osteophytes (bone spurs), sciatica, herniated discs, scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage). By removing damaged vertebrae or discs, Vertebral Body Resection helps decompress the spinal cord, thereby relieving symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck or lower back.

Vertebral Body Resection in Bhubaneswar is a major surgery and is generally considered only when conservative treatments, like medications or physical therapy, have not provided sufficient relief. 

FAQ's

The procedure is typically recommended for patients suffering from the following conditions:

  • Herniated disc
  • Osteophytes
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal stenosis, including multi-level cervical stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Cervical spine fractures
  • Spinal tumours
  • Ossified posterior longitudinal ligament

Additionally, patients with the following symptoms may also be recommended to undergo the procedure:
Conservative measures fail to alleviate spinal disorder symptoms
If the patient has severe neck or back pain
Severe compression of the spinal cord causes the individual to develop the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty walking
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Weakness or numbness in legs or arms
  • Progressive loss of limb coordination
     

Common surgical types include:

  • Anterior Cervical Corpectomy: The surgery is performed from the front of the neck, providing direct access to the cervical region
  • Thoracic Corpectomy: The surgery is performed in the middle or upper back
  • Lumbar Corpectomy: Procedure performed on the lower back

With ageing, spinal tumours impinging the nerves, or traumatic spinal injuries, the vertebral disc tends to degenerate. This leads to a lack of cushioning effect on the vertebrae and thickening of spinal ligaments, causing bony spurs to form. As a result, the spinal canal can narrow and impinge on the nerves, leading to radiating spinal pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.
In such cases, Vertebral Body Resection is recommended to decompress the spinal cord and nerve root to relieve pain and restore mobility. The removed vertebra are reconstructed with implants. 
 

Before undergoing the surgery, you must follow these guidelines:

  • Avoid smoking or tobacco, as they can hamper bone growth and increase your chance of developing an infection
  • You must stop taking blood-thinning or anti-inflammatory medications, as they can interfere with the surgical procedure
  • Avoid eating and drinking at least for 8 hours before the procedure
     

The surgical procedure is performed under the influence of general anaesthesia and involves making incisions on the spinal cord where the large portion of damaged vertebrae or discs are located. The tissues and muscles surrounding the cord are moved to gain access to the spinal bones. All the damaged vertebral parts are removed, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and its surrounding nerves.
Following the removal of damaged vertebral parts and posterior longitudinal ligament, the Spinal Fusion procedure may be performed to keep the spinal column stable by replacing the damaged parts with implants. Titanium, plastic, carbon fibre cages, and bone may be grafted to promote fusion between adjacent vertebrae.
After the procedure, the surgeon carefully closes the suture with the help of an incision. The complete procedure takes around 2 to 3 hours and may vary depending on the number of vertebrae affected. 
 

You may have to stay up to 3 days following the procedure. A part of your recovery period will be spent in the rehabilitation facility, where you will receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistance with daily tasks. If you underwent the procedure in the neck, you may have to wear a neck brace to stabilise the area until you recover.

Generally, recovery from the procedure may take 6 to 8 weeks. You may return to desk-based jobs within a week following surgery; however, for physically demanding jobs, you may have to rest for about 6 to 8 weeks. It may take 6 months to resume all activities following the procedure.

Being a complex surgery, there are several risks or complications associated with the Vertebral Body Resection procedure:

  • Persistent and chronic pain

  • Damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots

  • Bleeding 

  • Infection

  • Non-fusion or displacement of the bone graft

  • Hoarseness of voice

  • Damage to the oesophagus or trachea

 

Alternatives to the surgical procedure include physical therapy, pain management, and non-surgical spine decompression, opted based on the spinal compression severity, potential complications, and care needs post-surgery.

Vertebral Body Resection does have an impact on daily life and depends on the individual’s health and resilience. Post-surgery patients are advised to undergo physical therapy for strength training and pain management therapy for comfort.

 

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