{"id":"ee0394a4-ba92-4221-b913-a72198b8722d","slug":"precision-in-action-using-patient-specific-cutting-guides-for-en-bloc-resection-of-large-sacral-chordomas-a-case-report","title":"Precision in action: Using patient-specific cutting guides for <i>en bloc</i> resection of large sacral chordomas – A case report","authors":["Oludotun Ogunsola","Sebele Ogunsola","Joseph R. Linzey","Geoffrey W. Siegel","Paul Park"],"abstract":"Background: Chordomas are rare malignant tumors of notochordal origin, with sacral chordomas being the most common. En bloc resection with negative margins is the preferred treatment for long-term disease control. However, the technical complexity of en bloc sacrectomy cannot be overstated. This case report highlights the use of a patient-specific 3D-printed cutting guide to assist in the precise en bloc resection of a large sacral chordoma. Case Description: A 51-year-old male with a history of refractory constipation and lower back pain was diagnosed with a large sacral chordoma. Preoperative planning included the creation of a patient-specific 3D-printed cutting guide used to make precise bony cuts while preserving critical structures. Complete en bloc resection with negative margins was achieved. The patient recovered well postoperatively; follow-up imaging at 13 months showed no tumor recurrence. At 25 months, however, a small recurrence was noted in the right piriformis/gluteal muscle. Conclusion: The use of a 3D-printed cutting guide is a novel technology that can be used to facilitate en bloc resection of bony tumors. Use of the cutting guide simplified the technical difficulty involved with more traditional methods for sacrectomy.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/ee0394a4-ba92-4221-b913-a72198b8722d/featured/hero-1781558202288.png","publishDate":"2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_658_2025","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/14062/SNI-16-462.pdf"}