Hemi-semi Laminectomy Approach for the Microsurgical Treatment of Spinal Schwannomas

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of hemi-semi laminectomy approach for the micro- surgical treatment of spinal schwannomas. Methods A total of 22 patients underwent hemi-semi laminectomy for the microsurgical removal of spinal schwannomas during a period of 2009 and 2011 in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. We ret- rospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of these patients. Results Of them, 5 cases were diagnosed with cervical schwannomas, 9 with thoracic schwarmomas, and 8 with lumbar schwannomas. All the tumors including two dumbbell schwannomas were totally removed without major complications. Postoperatively, all patients were followed up from 6 to 36 months. The symp- toms and signs were obviously improved, and no tumor recurrence or spinal deformity occurred. Conclusion Hemi-semi laminectomy is a safe and effective method for resection of spinal schwan- nomas