Surgeons Remove Spinal Tumor Through Eye Socket in Medical Breakthrough

A spinal cord tumor refers to the growth of an abnormal mass of cells around or within your spinal column or cord. In most spinal tumor removals, surgeons cut through the neck or back to gain access to the spine. However, successful spinal surgery has recently been shown to be successful. The spinal cord tumor was removed through the eye socket, the first of its kind in the world. The team that performed this operation was led by Dr. Labib, a neurosurgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. They were able to successfully remove a cancerous tumor that wrapped around the spine of a 19-year-old girl.

Spinal Tumor Removed Through Eye Socket

Although the transorbital method is not entirely new, surgeons often use it to find tumors growing in the sinuses or brain. However, this time, they used this technique to remove a spinal cord tumor. This young woman had a bone tumor known as a chordoma growing in the spine. This is a very rare type of tumor, found in only about 300 cases in the US each year. According to Dr. Labib, “The tumor was wrapped around the patient’s spine and neck and had invaded the spinal cord in his neck, just below the base of the skull.

They couldn’t use the normal approach from the back, as it could cause damage to the spine. In this way, they were able to avoid disturbing important structures, such as blood vessels, nerves, and the eustachian tube. Dr. Labib added, “We created a large surgical tunnel that allowed us to enter the front of the spine. It was a straight shot.” Dr. Labib developed this technique after testing the transorbital method using cadavers at the Department of Neurosurgery’s Skull Base 360° Laboratory. He published his first study in 2023 in the Journal of Neurosurgery, referring to the eye socket as “the third nose.”

Transorbital Spinal Tumor Surgery Patient

The patient, Karla Flores, underwent a total of three surgeries, plus additional proton beam therapy. According to Labib, “Karla is doing very well. I am glad that with the multi-stakeholder team effort, it has had a successful outcome.” According to Flores, he started experiencing double vision when he was 18 and could not pinpoint the cause of the issue. Finally he went to an eye doctor, who then referred him to Dr. Labib. Flores said:I was very relieved when I met Dr. Labib and team at the University of Maryland Medical Center. They listen to me and take me seriously. Learning about spinal and brain tumors scared me, but I am so thankful that the doctors were able to remove them. I am recovering slowly, and in any problem I have they help me.” Flores now plans to study to become a manicurist.

Read more: Tragic Surgery Uses 3D Printing to Reconstruct Human Face After Horrific Accident

Spinal Tumor Removal Without Scars

In some transorbital surgeries, surgeons need to make an incision above or near the eye. However, in this new procedure, the team cuts the clear membrane that covers the eye called the conjunctiva. They also had to be cut inside the patient’s mouth. An approach had to be carved to insert the surgical instruments to reach the cervical spine. According to facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Vakharia, they wanted “create a surgical plan where there would be no external scars and it would be impossible to tell that the patient had even been operated on… It was amazing to have the opportunity to be a part of a surgery that had never been done before.”

Ultimately, it took a dedicated team of specialized doctors to provide the patient with the comprehensive care he needed. Dr. Labib also noted that the operation was very successful because he had the opportunity to practice on cadavers many times. He added, “The fact that people are willing to donate their bodies to science enabled us to do this and saved this young woman’s life.” Medical experts are still not sure what exactly causes chordomas.

The Bottom Line

A spinal cord tumor removed through the eye socket represents a major breakthrough in modern science. By modifying the transorbital approach, the team was able to use new precision and additional information to change the outcome of the young patient. Not only was the surgery life-saving, but they were also able to perform it with minimal risk of complications and avoided the scarring often associated with such surgery. Spinal tumor removal surgery was led by Dr. Labi, working in collaboration with Dr. Vakharia, Head of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Dr. Andrea M. Hebert, head and neck surgeon and Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and UMSO Surgery.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for qualified medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medications. Do not disregard effective medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of what you read here.

Read more: Shocking BBL Side Effect: Patients Report Bad Odor After Surgery