USE OF PREOPERATIVE VASCULAR EMBOLIZATION IN SPINAL METASTASIS RESECTION

Preoperative selective embolisation was carried out on 17 patients wit h spinal metastases from various primary rumours. There was a signific ant reduction in the blood loss (2088 ml) and infusion volume requirem ent (3500 ml) and more favourable postoperative haemoglobin (Hb) devel opment compared with the non-embolised but otherwise identical control group. The reduced intraoperative bleeding manifested itself in the f orm of greater clarity and a less complicated intraoperative course. P articularly with a dorsal approach, the reduced bleeding permitted mor e exact preparation and more extensive tumour resection. Preoperative embolisation is thus a valuable aid in spinal metastasis resection. Gi ven suitable indications and exact positioning of the embolising mater ial, no significant complications should arise. The method as a whole calls for close collaboration between interventional radiologists and spinal orthopaedists.