CASE REPORT   

Minerva Chirurgica 2000 June;55(6):455-8

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Posterior approach in the treatment of sacrococcygeal chordoma: a rare, destructive and recidivating tumour with local infiltration. A case report and review of the literature

Genovese A. M., Fedele F., Barbera A., Fonti M. T., Caminiti R., Pantè S., Ciccolo A.

Based on personal observation of a case of recidivating chordoma in the sacrococcygeal region four years after the first excision with subtotal resection of the coccyx using a posterior approach, the authors describe the unique characteristics of this rare neoplasm and underline the simplicity of this method of treatment. The surgical technique used to treat the recidivating form also used a posterior approach, with complete resection of the neoplasm including the scar of the previous operation and the last remaining segment of the coccyx. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported. The authors examine the clinical and histological aspects of this neoplasm, concluding that the correct form of treatment must aim both to protect the adjacent anatomic structures and to achieve radical exeresis, as well as achieving a simpler surgical approach unhampered by complications. The authors believe that this approach is simpler than the abdominal-dorsal approach, although this is necessary in the event of intra-abdominal infiltrations.