The thoracic cord has little extra room. Compression from the front cannot always be solved by a laminectomy from behind. Corpectomy removes the body, decompresses the cord, and rebuilds the anterior column.
An extracavitary or lateral route is chosen so the lung and the cord are both respected. These are planned, team operations — not last-minute laminectomies.
What to expect
- A longer anesthetic and hospital stay than a lumbar decompression.
- A chest tube is rarely needed.
Recovery
- Walking is started as soon as the reconstruction is judged stable.
- Oncology and trauma pathways run in parallel with the surgical recovery.