The Lateral Hemilaminectomy Approach for Spinal Dumbbell Tumors and Tumors Ventral to the Spinal Cord

Thirty-five patients with spinal tumors, including 24 dumbbell neurilemomas, 8 meningiomas, 2 intramedullary astrocytomas and one chordma, were operated on via the lateral hemilaminectomy-approach. The tumors were located at the cervical segment in 17 patients, thoracic in 14 and lumbar in 4. Thirty-two tumors were removed totally and 3 subtotally without mortality and neural deficits. The operative techniques were described in detail. The lateral hemilaminectomy approach is useful for huge reccurrent spinal dumbbell tumors ＆ tumors ventral to the spinal cord. This approach has the following advantages: (a) The tumor can be radically removed. (b) The postoperative spinal malformations can be avoided. During operation the microsurgical techniques ＆ high-speed drill are recommended.