Romanian Neurosurgery (Jun 2024)
Evaluation of the need for debulking in meningioma surgery by a retrospective analysis of our case series
Abstract
Introduction: The primary aim of meningioma surgery should be total excision. However, subtotal excision is considered first if the main vascular structures and the cranial nerves are at risk. The ‘primum non nocere’ principle should always be considered. A clinical study where the emphasis is on en bloc resection without debulking in suitable cases, in contrast to the classic approaches, could therefore prove useful. Method: The meningioma cases operated at the ?zmir Bak?rçay University Çi?li Training and Research Hospital’s Neurosurgery Clinic between 2021 and 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. There were no exclusion criteria. The demographic features of the patients who had undergone debulking or en bloc resection and the anatomical, pathological, surgical and clinical features of the meningiomas were evaluated and the results were presented as percentages. Results: A total of 21 patients, consisting of 5 males (23.8%) and 16 females (76.2%), were included in the study. The mean age was 58.8 (28-90) years. En bloc resection was performed in 18 (85.7%) and debulking in 3 (14.3%) of the 21 cases. The other results are presented within the article. Conclusion: En bloc resection could be an important surgical strategy to decrease the surgical duration and bleeding amount in appropriate cases.
