When less is more: The indications for MIS techniques and separation surgery in metastatic spine disease Journal Article


Authors: Zuckerman, S. L.; Laufer, I.; Sahgal, A.; Yamada, Y. J.; Schmidt, M. H.; Chou, D.; Shin, J. H.; Kumar, N.; Sciubba, D. M.
Article Title: When less is more: The indications for MIS techniques and separation surgery in metastatic spine disease
Abstract: Objective. The aim of this study was to review the techniques, indications, and outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and separation surgery with subsequent radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with metastatic spine disease. Summary of Background Data. The utilization of MIS techniques in patients with spine metastases is a growing area within spinal oncology. Separation surgery represents a novel paradigm where radiosurgery provides long-term control after tumor is surgically separated from the neural elements. Methods. PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were systematically queried for literature reporting MIS techniques or separation surgery in patients with metastatic spine disease. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Results. Of the initial 983 articles found, 29 met inclusion criteria. Twenty-five articles discussed MIS techniques and were grouped according to the primary objective: percutaneous stabilization (8), tubular retractors (4), mini-open approach (8), and thoracoscopy/endoscopy (5). The remaining 4 studies reported separation surgery. Indications were similar across all studies and included patients with instability, refractory pain, or neurologic compromise. Intraoperative variables, outcomes, and complications were similar in MIS studies compared to traditional approaches, and some MIS studies showed a statistically significant improvement in outcomes. Studies of mini-open techniques had the strongest evidence for superiority. Conclusions. Low-quality evidence currently exists for MIS techniques and separation surgery in the treatment of metastatic spine disease. Given the early promising results, the next iteration of research should include higher-quality studies with sufficient power, and will be able to provide higher-level evidence on the outcomes of MIS approaches and separation surgery. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: minimally invasive surgery; stereotactic radiosurgery; endoscopy; vats; thoracoscopy; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; epidural spinal cord compression; spinal metastases; pathologic fracture; separation surgery; mini-open; percutaneous instrumentation; tubular retractor; metastatic spinal cord compression
Journal Title: Spine
Volume: 41
Issue: Suppl. 20
ISSN: 0362-2436
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2016-10-15
Start Page: S246
End Page: S253
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000001824
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 27753784
PMCID: PMC5551976
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 3 January 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Yoshiya Yamada
    479 Yamada
  2. Ilya Laufer
    146 Laufer