Corpectomy Surgery

Corpectomy Surgery

Vertebral Corpectomy Surgery in India - Procedure Cost, Best Doctors & Recovery Time

Corpectomy is quite similar to discectomy, which helps reduce spinal compression that leads to nerve pinch. It removes partial or complete vertebral body, depending on the condition, to treat or decompress the spinal cord. Corpectomy surgery is a relatively common spinal surgery worldwide. Also, thousands of people from different parts of the world, including Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, visit India annually for quality and cost-effective Corpectomy procedures.

The main reason to opt for India for their Corpectomy is the cost. Here, you get the cheapest Corpectomy surgeries without compromising on the quality of the treatment. Also, you can access the most renowned orthopaedic surgeons, cutting-edge infrastructure, and highly skilled and trained medical staff, which ensure safety, accuracy, and efficiency. Today, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Corpectomy in India, including purpose, procedure, cost and more.

Reasons to Perform Corpectomy Surgery

Corpectomy is a spinal surgery that aims to treat conditions that lead to spinal cord compression or nerve compression. However, it is not prescribed to do a corpectomy procedure for every spinal stenosis or spinal cord blockage. For milder cases, rest and non-surgical alternatives can do the job. However, if the symptoms are too severe and unmanageable with alternative treatments, then you will be recommended to do a cropectomy to get relief. Here are a few indications or reasons to perform a corpectomy-

  • Severe spinal cord compression and neurological defects.
  • Progressive and symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis.
  • Progressive and symptomatic cervical myelopathy.
  • Vertebra trauma or injury
  • Spine lesions that are impossible to remove with a Laminectomy safely.
  • The spinal disease reaches beyond the disc (to the foramen where the spinal cord or nerve root is located.
  • Bone spurs in the spinal regions that are too large and arthritic.
  • Multi-level cervical stenosis (a type of stenosis affecting two or more spinal discs.
  • Damaged, degenerated cervical intervertebral disc and vertebra body.
  • Spinal tumours, congenital deformities and infections are causing symptomatic spine cord compression and nerve compression.
  • Remember, if the conditions mentioned above or symptoms do not improve, they are fixed with non-surgical alternatives. You should consult with an expert surgeon with good experience of cropectomy.

Conditions Corpectomy Surgery Treats

Cropectomy is a significant surgery that aims to decompress the nerve root or spinal cord, causing physical and neurological symptoms. As a result, the cropectomy procedure can treat a range of spinal conditions associated with spinal cord compression. If you are going to get a cropectomy surgery, it would be wise to learn about the common conditions it can also treat. Below, we will share a list of conditions or spinal conditions a corpectomy can treat-

Foraminal stenosis

Foraminal stenosis is a common condition where the foramina cannel or hollow gets too narrow resulting in a spinal cord compression. In such situations, doctors mostly recommend a cropectomy to resolve the matter.

Degenerative disc disease

Another common condition cropectomy treats is DDD or degenerative disc disease. In this condition, the spinal disc begins to degenerate, causing severe spinal cord compression.

Bone spur

Bone spur is a condition where bony growth develops, leading to spinal compression. Cropectomy also treats bone spurs to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerve around the affected area.

Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a condition where the spinal cord gets compressed by the spinal bone. It can be treated with cervical corpectomy, a type of corpectomy used to treat cervical spinal cord compression.

Cervical trauma and injuries

Another common condition that can be treated with cervical corpectomy is cervical trauma or injury. Cervical trauma or injury can cause the Spinal disc or vertebra to slip and move forward causing compression or damage to the spinal cord.

Spinal tumours

Spinal tumours can push the vertebral column or disc forward, causing spinal cord compression. Cropectomy is often used to treat spinal tumours that lead to spinal cord compression and other problems.

Vertebral fractures

The vertebral fracture can be a result of injury, trauma or spinal compression, which also causes compression on the spinal cord and nerve root. In such cases, doctors can suggest a vertebral cropectomy surgery.

Lateral recess stenosis

Lastly, cropectomy, such as transpendicular cropectomy, can treat lateral recess stenosis to lateral pressure on the spinal cord and the condition.

Different Types of Corpectomy Surgery

Cropectomy is a major spinal surgery that helps to reduce compression on the spinal cord or nerve root. Different types of colectomies are used to treat different conditions. They can be segmented into different categories depending on the condition they treat, their location, and the techniques used in the process. Below, we will discuss different kinds of colectomies that exist-

1. Transpendicular corpectomy

Transpendicular cropectomy is the most common type of cropectomy where palliative compression is more crucial than en-bloc resection. It is mainly used to treat patients with acute neurological decline symptoms.

2. Thoracic corpectomy

Toraric cropectomy is a location-based cropectomy type. This colectomy treats foraminal stenosis or other conditions leading to spinal cord compression in the thoracic spine region.

3. Cervical corpectomy

This type of cropectomy surgery is primarily used to treat stenosis in the cervical spine region.

4. Lumbar corpectomy

As the name suggests, lumbar cropectomy treats stenosis and other spinal cord compression caused within the cervical spine zone.

5. Vertebral corpectomy

Vertebral cropectomy is used to treat compression conditions associated with the vertebra and help remove the vertebral body or vertebral disc that causes spinal compression.

6. Anterior corpectomy

Anterior cropectomy is a type of cropectomy based on the approach of the surgery. As the name says, this type of cropectomy is used to treat spinal compression anteriorly.

7. Posterior corpectomy

Like anterior corpectomy, posterior corpectomy is also an approach-based type that is performed posteriorly.

8. Hybrid corpectomy

Lastly, the hybrid cropectomy is the most advanced type of cropectomy that combines cropectomy with discectomy procedures for more advanced solutions to complex stenosis cases.

Corpectomy Surgery Procedure

Cropectomy is a major Spinal decompression surgery that helps to remove pressure from the spinal cord, leading to degenerative physical and neurological conditions. Even though various colectomies exist, the procedure is almost the same everywhere. Below, we will discuss the basic procedure for corpectomy for your knowledge-

  • The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia to help you fall asleep during the surgery and not feel the pain during the procedure.
  • Then your Surgeon will make an incision on the affected area anteriorly or posteriorly depending on the type of surgery you have undergone.
  • Then the surgeon will use a unique tool to move the muscles to access the affected spine.
  • After accessing the affected foramina the surgeon removes the affected vertebra body or vertebral disc that is causing nerve compression.
  • Then, they replace it with a bone graft using spinal fusion.
  • Once the procedure is completed. Then, the surgeon will remove surgical tools and seal the wound with stitches or surgical glue, depending on the incision size.

Top Surgeons for Corpectomy Surgery in India

1. Dr. Manoj Miglani

2. Dr Hitesh Garg

3. Dr. Ramandeep Singh Dang

4. Dr. Sachin Kandhari

Corpectomy Surgery Recovery Time

Corpectomy surgery recovery time is different for each case. The recovery time varies depending on the seriousness of the procedure and individual anatomy. For most people, the initial recovery time is 2-6 weeks. However, the healing period after surgery can be a few months in more complex cases. A patient should avoid strenuous activities before complete recovery. However, one can resume routine activities after resting for a few days. And can return to desk work after 2-4 weeks. One should avoid driving before complete healing after the procedure. Consult with your surgeon to know what to expect during the aftermath of the surgery. You can also ask for a personalized recovery plan.

Corpectomy Surgery Cost in India

Corpectomy cost in India depends on various factors like the location of the hospital, hospital charges, type of surgery, surgeon’s fee and other medical expenses. It also depends on the severity of the condition treated, hospital stay and so on. Generally, the cost of a corpectomy procedure in India can range from $5,000 to $ 6,000. You should consult your healthcare provider for an accurate cost estimation for your corpectomy surgery.

Corpectomy Surgery Insurance Coverage

Every health insurance policy is different, offering various types of coverage for corpectomy surgery. Corpectomy is a major surgery that is usually covered by most health insurance. Some policies can cover only the procedure charges, while others may cover other medical expenses. The coverage depends on the type of surgery and its terms and conditions. Also, the procedure will be covered by insurance only when it is evaluated as medically necessary. Consult with your healthcare and insurance provider to know whether your corpectomy operation is eligible for insurance coverage and how much coverage you can expect.

Corpectomy Surgery FAQs

Is corpectomy a major surgery?

Yes, Corpectomy is considered a major surgery that is used to treat spinal cord compression. It is a more extensive surgery than traditional anterior discectomy and fusion.

How long does a corpectomy operation take?

The length of time for a corpectomy operation can vary from one patient to another. It usually takes 2-3 hours for a corpectomy. The surgery time also depends on the number of affected vertebras.

Why should one avoid a corpectomy surgery?

After the surgery, one should avoid strenuous activities like pulling and pushing with one's arms. One should also avoid driving during the aftermath of the surgery.

How long is the hospital stay after a corpectomy procedure?

A corpectomy surgery is a sensitive procedure, and a patient might be required to stay overnight in the hospital. Your surgeon will do a check-up before discharging you.

When can one return to work after the procedure?

One can return to desk work after 4-6 weeks of a corpectomy procedure. However, jobs that are physically demanding or require repetitive neck movements should be avoided before complete healing after the surgery.

When can one resume driving after a corpectomy?

One should avoid driving for at least 4-6 weeks after corpectomy surgery. Also, you should avoid driving if you are on rigid collar or pain medication. It is better to avoid moving before complete healing after the procedure.