Combined Posterior and Posterolateral One-Stage Removal of a Giant Cervical Dumbbell Schwannoma

Abstract

The operative time was less than 3 h, and the patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day without any neurological sequel. The combination of posterior midline and posterolateral approach in large dumbbell schwannomas is easier to perform and a more safe technique than the combination with anterolateral accesses in the cervical region and also less invasive than the transuncodiscal technique in selected cases. This approach reduces the risk of neurovascular injury, since it does not require retraction and repositioning of the patient and, therefore, facilitates total excision and reduces the operative time.