Corpectomy is a surgical treatment that removes a piece of the vertebral body, which is the thick, cylindrical section of the vertebra in the spine. This surgery is commonly used to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by disorders such as spinal cord compression, tumors, fractures, or infections.
A corpectomy involves the surgeon removing part or all of the vertebral body, as well as any surrounding soft tissue, in order to decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots. The extent of the corpectomy is determined by the individual ailment being treated and the level of compression.