Corpectomy

Procedure, indications, and solutions

The content of this page is intended for medical professionals only.

What is a corpectomy?

A corpectomy (or vertebrectomy) is a surgical procedure involving the (complete or partial) removal of a vertebral body. The aim is decompression of the spinal cord and⁄or nerve roots with subsequent reconstruction of the spine using a vertebral body replacement or a bone⁄implant fusion.

What are the indications for a corpectomy?

A corpectomy can be indicated in cases such as:

Compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots as a consequence of degeneration, a slipped disk, or bone spurs (e.g., osteophytes) in the spine.
Tumors (primary or metastasizing) within the spine compromising the structure and stability.
Traumatic vertebral body fractures or compression fractures, if conservative or less invasive procedures are insufficient.
Spinal infections (e.g., spondylodiscitis) or other destructive processes affecting vertebral bodies and disks.
Combinations of deformities, instability, and neurological risk rendering stable reconstruction of the spine necessary.

Which approaches are possible for a corpectomy?

A corpectomy can be performed via various approaches depending on the region of the spine affected and the diagnostic findings:

Cervical: Anterior approach, common in case of spinal compression as a consequence of degeneration, osteophytes, or disk problems.

Thoracic: Anterolateral or transthoracic approach in case of tumors, fractures, or deformities in the thoracic spine.

Lumbar: Retroperitoneal, lateral, or anterolateral approach in case of fractures, instabilities, or destructive lesions in the lumbar region.

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surgery support

Do you need support when performing a corpectomy with one of our vertebral body replacement systems?

No problem! Simply book an appointment for surgery support with one of our product specialists.

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Vertebral body replacement and reconstruction

Once the vertebral body has been removed, a structural reconstruction is necessary. This can be performed either with autologous/allogeneic bone or by using vertebral body replacement implants. These are used to restore the height and stability of the vertebral body.

The advantages of a structured vertebral body replacement are:

Immediate stabilization and restoration of the spine height.
Possibility of fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies for long-lasting stability.
Use of state-of-the-art implants is associated with a lower risk of removal site complications (compared with autologous bone) and improved control of height and alignment.

Implant solutions from ulrich medical for corpectomy

ADD^TM

ADD is an expandable vertebral body replacement for the surgical reconstruction of defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior cervical and thoracic spine (C3–T3).

Great versatility for individual anatomical adaptation
Large filling volume for bone/bone graft material
Simple handling and few surgical steps required
All implants also available individually and sterile packed

Find out more about the ADD vertebral body replacement here.

ADDplus^TM

ADDplus is an expandable vertebral body replacement with integrated flaps that can be used for the surgical reconstruction of defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior cervical spine and the cervicothoracic transition (C3–T3).

Vertebral body replacement and plate in one system
Optimized implant anchoring due to expandable screw
Continuous expansion and compression in situ
All implants also available individually and sterile packed

Find out more about the ADDplus vertebral body replacement now.

obelisc^TM

obelisc is an expandable vertebral body replacement that can be used for the surgical reconstruction of substance defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior thoracic and lumbar spine.

All surgical approaches possible
Continuously expandable
Just one instrument for implantation, expansion, and locking

Further information on the obelisc vertebral body replacement can be found on our product page.

Supplementary stabilization systems

neon^3TM

Occiptocervical screw-rod system

uCentum^TM

Thoracolumbosacral screw-rod system

Origin^TM

Anterior cervical plate

Insights from clinical practice

Case study: ADDplus^TM

“Corpectomy C5 and C6 and vertebral body replacement for stenosis and myelopathy.” A case study from the practice of Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hubbe.

Find out more

Study: obelisc^TM

Radiological and mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome after stabilization of traumatic thoracolumbar spinal fractures using an expandable vertebral body replacement implant

Read study

Corpectomy FAQ

What is the difference between a corpectomy and a discectomy?

A discectomy is the removal of disk material⁄osteophytes, whereas a corpectomy is the (complete⁄partial) removal of the vertebral body and requires reconstruction⁄fusion with a cage⁄graft and additional instrumentation.

When is a corpectomy indicated?

If less invasive procedures (e.g., simple decompression, discectomy) are insufficient, for example in case of instabilities, significant fractures, tumors, infections, or pronounced bony compression — particularly when there is a neurological risk (spinal cord or nerve roots).

What are the risks associated with a corpectomy?

Possible complications: Infections, blood loss, neurological damage, implant failure, unsuccessful fusion (pseudarthrosis), instability of adjacent segments.

When can the ADD vertebral body replacement be used?

ADD is an expandable vertebral body replacement for the surgical reconstruction of defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior cervical and thoracic spine (C3–T3).

When can the ADDplus vertebral body replacement be used?

ADDplus is an expandable vertebral body replacement with integrated flaps that can be used for the surgical reconstruction of defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior cervical spine and the cervicothoracic transition (C3–T3).

When can the obelisc vertebral body replacement be used?

obelisc is an expandable vertebral body replacement that can be used for the surgical reconstruction of substance defects following a complete or incomplete corpectomy in the anterior thoracic and lumbar spine.

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Sources

John Rhee, Sam W. Wiesel, Scott D. Boden et al. Operative Techniques in Spine Surgery. (2012) ISBN: 9781451127690 - Google Books

Meyer B., Rauschmann M. Spine Surgery. A Case-Based Approach. (2019) ISBN: 9783319988740. Springer

Neuhoff J, Berkulian O, Kramer A, Thavarajasingam S, Wengert A, Schleicher P, Pingel A, Kandziora F. Single- and Multilevel Corpectomy and Vertebral body replacement for treatment of spinal infections. A retrospective single-center study of 100 cases. Brain Spine. 2023 Nov 30;4:102721. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2023.102721. PMID: 38510622; PMCID: PMC10951701.

Guzik G. Outcomes of Corpectomy in Patients with Metastatic Cancer. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2017 Jan 26;19(1):23-32. doi: 10.5604/15093492.1235275. PMID: 28436378.

Boakye, Maxwell M.D.; Patil, Chirag G. M.D.; Ho, Chris B.S.; Lad, Shivanand P. M.D., Ph.D. CERVICAL CORPECTOMY: COMPLICATIONS AND OUTCOMES. Operative Neurosurgery 63(4):p 295-302, October 2008. | DOI: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000327028.45886.2E

Corpectomy

What is a corpectomy?

What are the indications for a corpectomy?

Which approaches are possible for a corpectomy?

Arrange surgery support

Vertebral body replacement and reconstruction

Implant solutions from ulrich medical for corpectomy

ADDTM

ADDplusTM

obeliscTM