Corpectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed usually with some form of discetomy in order to remove a portion of the vertebral body in an effort to decompress nerves that are causing pain in the back of the patient. The procedure could include removing some portion of the adjacent tissue or intervertebral disc as well. Corpectomy is usually done when the nerves in the cervical or lumbar spinal cord get compressed. When the portion of the vertebra is removed reconstruction may be carried out using bone grafts, metal plates and screws to support the spine and offer some stability.

The procedure is usually done for patients with bone spurs, spinal fractures, tumors, or infections that are causing compression of the spinal nerves. Sometimes bone spurs grow from behind the cervical or lumbar body or the ligament behind the body and this leads to the spinal canal narrowing thus pressing down on nerves in the canal.

Corpectomy is usually carried out when a discectomy cannot solve the problem alone.

Depending on the surgeon and the patient a cervical collar or back brace may be required for a month or so after the surgery. Some follow-up examinations and some imaging may be required following the operation. Physical therapists and occupational therapists will usually work with patients after this operation.

A corpectomy is one of the more difficult spine surgeries for a surgeon to perform, and is more complicated than a discectomy. The potential risks and complications of this surgery include nerve or spinal cord damage, infection, bleeding and continued pain.