Immediate soft-tissue reconstruction using a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap following wide resection of malignant bone tumours of the pelvis

Pedicled vastus lateralis myocutaneous flap for sacropelvic defects after wide oncologic resection: Wound complications and outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Adequate coverage of the soft tissue defects from wide resection of sacropelvic malignancies remains challenging. The vastus lateralis flap has been described for coverage in the setting of trauma and infection. This flap has not been described for coverage of sacropelvic tumor defects.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent wide resection of a primary sacropelvic malignancy with reconstruction employing a pedicled vastus lateralis flap at two tertiary care centers. Patient demographics, tumor staging, and rate of complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were included, with a median age of 51 years. The most common primary tumor was chondrosarcoma followed by chondroblastic osteosarcoma. The median follow-up was 1.1 years. There were 10 cases of wound infection requiring re-operation and three cases of flap failure.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a pedicled vastus lateralis flap for coverage of defects after wide resection of sacropelvic malignancies. A large proportion of our cohort had independent risk factors for wound complications. Even with a cohort with high baseline risk for wound complications, we show that the use of a pedicled vastus lateralis flap is a safe reconstructive option with a wound complication rate in line with the literature.

The Management of an Open Biopsy Tract Site Infection and Ulceration in the Setting of Osteosarcoma

Biopsy site infection in the setting of osteosarcoma is a potentially devastating complication. We present the case of a 16-year-old adolescent girl with a distal femur osteosarcoma who developed an open biopsy site ulceration and infection after initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This was treated with careful local excision of the ulcerated biopsy site and systemic antibiotic therapy throughout the duration of her chemotherapy course. She subsequently underwent wide resection of the tumor en bloc with a generous ellipse around the biopsy scar and reconstruction with cemented knee megaprosthesis. No recurrence of either infection or malignancy was observed. This case represents the successful treatment of a biopsy site ulceration and infection in a patient with osteosarcoma and may merit adoption in future instances of this complication.

Posterior Floating Laminotomy as a New Decompression Technique for Posterior Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery

Objective

In the cervical spine, many surgical procedures have been developed to achieve optimal results for various disorders, including degenerative diseases, traumatic injury, and tumor. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique for cervical spine entitled posterior floating laminotomy (PFL) in comparison with conventional laminectomy and fusion (LF).

Methods

Data for 85 patients who underwent conventional LF (n=66) or PFL (n=19) for cervical spine disorders between 2012 and 2019 were analyzed. Radiological parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope (T1S), segmental lordosis (SL), and C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were measured with lateral spine X-rays. Functional outcomes, comprising the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA), neck disability index (NDI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were also measured. For the patients who underwent PFL, postoperative magnetic resonance image (MRI) was performed in a month after the surgery, and the degree of decompression was evaluated at the T2-weighted axial image, and postoperative computed tomography (CT) was conducted immediately and 1 year after the operation to evaluate the gutter fusion.

Results

There was no difference in CL, T1S, SL, and C2–7 SVA between the groups but there was a difference in the preoperative and postoperative SL angles. The mean difference in the preoperative SL angle compared with that at the last follow-up was -0.3° after conventional LF and 4.7° after PFL (p=0.04), respectively. mJOA, NDI, and VAS scores showed significant improvements (p<0.05) during follow-up in both groups. In the PFL group, postoperative MRI showed sufficient decompression and postoperative CT revealed gutter fusion at 1 year after the operation.

Conclusion

PFL is a safe surgical method which can preserve postoperative CL and achieve good clinical outcomes.

Retrospective Clinical Evaluation of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Infection Prevention Following Malignant Pelvic Bone Tumor Resection Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for infection prevention following pelvic reconstruction after malignant bone tumor resection.

METHODS

The study involved 82 patients who underwent pelvic reconstruction following en-bloc resection of malignant bone tumors between January 2003 and January 2016. Forty patients were treated with NPWT via implantation of vacuum-sealing drainage (VSD) materials into the pelvic cavity to prevent infection and wound problems (VSD group), and the remaining 42 patients underwent conventional treatment (control group). Study authors compared the inpatient length of stay, antibiotic use, drainage volume, time to wound closure, and infection rates between groups. Investigators also conducted cell cultures of the wound cavity washing fluid and hematoxylin-eosin staining for VSD materials to find recurrent tumor cells.

RESULTS

In the VSD group, one patient (2.5%) had a superficial wound problem. In the control group, 18 patients (42.9%) had deep infection or wound problems. The VSD group had a significantly decreased infection rate, duration of antibiotic administration and inpatient stay, as well as increased wound healing compared with the control group (P < .05). Further, no tumor cells were observed in the VSD material or the wound cavity washing fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of NPWT with VSD material may be an effective and reliable method for preventing infection in patients who undergo pelvic reconstruction following malignant tumor resection.

Rate and risk factors for wound complications after internal hemipelvectomy

AIMS

Although internal hemipelvectomy is associated with a high incidence of morbidity, especially wound complications, few studies have examined rates of wound complications in these patients or have identified factors associated with the consequences. The present study aimed to: 1) determine the rate of wound and other complications requiring surgery after internal hemipelvectomy; and 2) identify factors that affect the rate of wound complications and can be used to stratify patients by risk of wound complications.

METHODS

The medical records of 123 patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy were retrospectively reviewed, with a focus on both overall complications and wound complications. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between host, tumour, and surgical factors and rates of postoperative wound complications.

RESULTS

The overall rate of postoperative complications requiring surgery was 49.6%. Wound complications were observed in 34.1% of patients, hardware-related complications in 13.2%, graft-related complications in 9.1%, and local recurrence in 5.7%. On multivariate analysis, extrapelvic tumour extension (odds ratio (OR) 23.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.97 to 274.67; p = 0.012), both intra- and extrapelvic tumour extension (OR 46.48; 95% CI, 3.50 to 617.77; p = 0.004), blood transfusion ≥ 20 units (OR 50.28; 95% CI, 1.63 to 1550.32; p = 0.025), vascular sacrifice of the internal iliac artery (OR 64.56; 95% CI, 6.33 to 658.43; p < 0.001), and use of a structural allograft (OR, 6.57; 95% CI, 1.70 to 25.34; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative wound complications.

CONCLUSION

Internal hemipelvectomy is associated with high rates of morbidity, especially wound complications. Several host, tumour, and surgical variables are associated with wound complications. The ability to stratify patients by risk of wound complications can help refine surgical and wound-healing planning and may lead to better outcomes in patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):280-284.

[Treatment concepts for complications after resection and defect reconstruction of pelvic tumours]

BACKGROUND

Partial pelvic resection, internal hemipelvectomy or sacrectomy as a result of bone sarcoma is still challenging. No matter what kind of reconstruction is used, there is still a much higher rate of complications in pelvic surgery compared to sarcoma surgery of the long bones.

OBJECTIVES

We describe the most common complications in pelvic sarcoma surgery and specific complications related to the reconstruction method. Handling strategies for these complications are specified.

METHODS

We performed a literature search and report our own experiences in the troubleshooting of pelvic surgery-related complications to gain an up-to-date overview of the state-of-the-art in management strategies.

RESULTS

Prospective randomized trials or meta-analyses on this topic are lacking. The literature search depicted that, besides local recurrence, deep infection after reconstruction is the most serious complication. An early revision with radical debridement has to be performed in order to save the reconstruction. In the case of a deep infection, the removal of all implants with a total loss of the reconstruction is often unavoidable. Therefore, an individualized risk-benefit analysis prior to surgery with respect to the type of reconstruction, or no reconstruction at all (hip transposition), together with the patient is advisable.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications-especially infections-after hemipelvectomy or sacrectomy are common. In the case of infection, in some cases, an early revision is the only chance to prevent a reconstruction from explantation.

COMPLICATIONS AND COST ANALYSIS OF HEMIPELVECTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF PELVIC TUMORS

Objective:

Hemipelvectomy is a complex surgery with a high complication rate. Here, we aimed to identify factors related to the onset of complications and calculate their impacts on hospital costs.

Methods:

We evaluated 31 consecutive patients who underwent hemipelvectomy between 1999 and 2015. We assessed the clinical and radiographic data to determine the patients’ demographic factors, tumor and surgical characteristics, and complications. The individual hospital stays and financial balances were assessed up to 6 months following the index surgery.

Results:

The overall complication rate was 61% (19/31). Infection was the most prevalent complication (36%). Immediate postoperative death occurred in 5/31 patients (16%); another 5 (16%) died after hospital discharge due to disease progression. Histological grade, previous surgery, and previous radiotherapy were not associated with complications or infection. Acetabular resections, bone reconstruction, and longer operative times were associated with infection, whereas older age, pelvic organ involvement, and comorbidities were associated with immediate postoperative death. Complications and infection were associated with 4.8- and 5.9-fold increases in hospital costs, respectively.

Conclusions:

Acetabular resection and bone reconstruction are important factors that increase short-term complication rates, infection rates, and hospital costs. Mortality was associated with older age and adjacent pelvic tumor progression. Level of Evidence: IV, case series.

Efficacy of Target Drug Delivery and Dead Space Reduction Using Antibiotic-loaded Bone Cement for the Treatment of Complex Spinal Infection

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

We have treated complex cases of surgical site infection (SSI) successfully using antibiotic-loaded bone cement to avoid the need for implant removal. In the present study, we describe a new treatment option for SSI.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although there are several treatment options for SSI after spinal surgery involving instrumentation, several types of problems may arise and are difficult to cure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients with SSI after undergoing spinal surgery involving instrumentation were studied. All had been refractory to conventional treatments, including intravenous antibiotic administration and conventional debridement and irrigation. Antibiotic-loaded bone cement was placed on and around the instrumentation to cover them and to occupy the surrounding dead space. Two general types of antibiotics were loaded into the polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. The recipes for the mixture were changed depending on the bacterial cultures. Sensitive antibiotics were administered generally for 2-6 weeks until the C-reactive protein level was normalized.

RESULTS

All patients were treated successfully using antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Only 1 patient needed a repeat of this procedure to treat an infection. Antibiotic-loaded bone cement was placed in situ in all patients during the follow-up period and there were no significant adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic-loaded bone cement treatment reduces the dead space and achieves the targeted drug delivery simultaneously. Treatment using antibiotic-loaded bone cement is an effective treatment option for complex spinal SSI.

Postoperative infections after limb-sparing surgery for primary bone tumors of the pelvis: Incidence, characterization and functional impact

INTRODUCTION

Surgical site infections (SSI) represent the most common postoperative complication after limb sparing surgery for primary malignant bone tumors, with incidence ranging from 10 to 47%. There is no consensus concerning about the optimal surgical strategy, or the adequate antibiotic prophylaxis in pelvic resections. A greater knowledge of these infections and their surgical trajectories seem essential to obtain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 45 cases of pelvic resection, including at least the periacetabular zone 2 of Enneking, performed between 1989 and 2013 in the same center. Infection rate, risk factors and surgical trajectories were analyzed. The impact of a postoperative infection on the quality of life and functional recovery was evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system (MSTS).

RESULTS

Sixteen patients presented a SSI in the first post-operative year (35.6%). We found as risk factors the pre-operative ASA score, the age at surgery and the number of packed red cells transfused during surgery. In case of failure of an initial washout, an iterative procedure is responsible for a high failure rate of 88.9%. Irrespective of the type of reconstruction, our functional results show that this surgery is often a source of handicap with a MSTS score of 13.77 in infected patients versus 17.70 in non-infected patients, at two-year follow-up.

DISCUSSION

In case of failure of an initial wash, prosthetic material must be removed and a hip transposition procedure should be preferred to a second-look surgery. Concerning prophylactic antibiotherapy, a dual therapy for at least 48 h after surgery should probably be preferred.

Reconstruction After Hemipelvectomy With the Ice-Cream Cone Prosthesis: What Are the Short-term Clinical Results?

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction after internal hemipelvectomy resection likely provides better function than hindquarter amputation. However, many reconstruction methods have been used, complications with these approaches are common, and function often is poor; because of these issues, it seems important to investigate alternative implants and surgical techniques.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the frequency of surgical site complications and infection associated with the use of the Ice-Cream Cone prosthesis for reconstruction after hemipelvectomy for oncological indications; (2) to evaluate the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) outcomes scores in a small group of patients treated with this implant in the short term; and (3) to quantify the surgical margins and frequency of local recurrence in the short term in this group of patients.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2013, one center performed a total of 27 internal hemipelvectomies for oncological indications. Of those, 23 (85%) were treated with reconstruction. Our general indications for reconstruction were patients whose pelvic stability was affected by the resection and whose general condition was sufficiently strong to tolerate the reconstructive procedure. Of those patients undergoing reconstruction, 14 (61%) were treated with an Ice-Cream Cone-style implant (Coned^®; Stanmore Worldwide Ltd, Elstree, UK; and Socincer^® custom-made implant for the pelvis, Gijón, Spain), whereas nine others were treated with other implants or allografts. The indications during this time for using the Ice-Cream Cone implant were pelvic tumors affecting the periacetabular area without iliac wing involvement. Of those 14, 10 were available for followup at a minimum of 2 years (median, 3 years; range, 2-5 years) unless a study endpoint (wound complication, infection, or local recurrence) was observed earlier. Study endpoints were ascertained by chart review performed by one of the authors.

RESULTS

Surgical site complications occurred in five patients. Of those, two developed superficial infections with necrosis, two developed deep infections, and one patient developed wound necrosis without apparent infection. No prostheses were removed as a result of these complications [corrected]. Median MSTS score was 19 out of 30 when 0 is the worst possible result and 30 a perfect function and emotional status. Five of seven primary tumors had wide margin surgery and three of seven developed local recurrences by the end of the followup.

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic reconstruction with the Ice-Cream Cone prosthesis yielded fair functional results at short-term followup. Longer term surveillance is called for to see whether this implant will represent an improvement over available reconstructive alternatives such as allograft, custom-made implants, and saddle prostheses. We are cautiously optimistic and continue to use this implant when we need to reconstruct the periacetabular area in patients without Enneking Zone 1 involvement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study.

Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Treatments for Primary Malignant Bone Tumors Arising in the Acetabulum

The functional and oncologic results of eighteen patients with primary malignant periacetabular tumors were reviewed to determine the impact of surgical treatment. The reconstruction procedures were endoprosthesis (11), hip transposition (4), iliofemoral arthrodesis (2), and frozen bone autograft (1). After a mean follow-up of 62 months, 13 patients were alive and 5 had died of their disease; the 5-year overall survival rate was 67.2%. The corresponding mean MSTS scores of patients with endoprosthesis (11) and other reconstructions (7) were 42% and 55% (49%, 68%, and 50%), respectively. Overall, postoperative complications including deep infection or dislocation markedly worsened the functional outcome. Iliofemoral arthrodesis provided better function than the other procedures, whereas endoprosthetic reconstruction demonstrated poor functional outcome except for patients who were reconstructed with the adequate soft tissue coverage. Avoiding postoperative complications is highly important for achieving better function, suggesting that surgical procedures with adequate soft tissue coverage or without the massive use of nonbiological materials are preferable. Appropriate selection of the reconstructive procedures for individual patients, considering the amount of remaining bone and soft tissues, would lead to better clinical outcomes.

Pelvic ring reconstruction with a double-barreled free vascularized fibula graft after resection of malignant pelvic bone tumor

INTRODUCTION

In patients undergoing limb-salvage internal hemipelvectomy, pelvic ring reconstruction is mandatory to maintain the stability of the pelvis and the spinal column, which finally expected to achieve a good functional outcome. However, no optimal reconstruction method has been established. In addition, no previous reports have highlighted the long-term complications of pelvic ring reconstruction after internal hemipelvectomy. We aimed to analyze the outcome of pelvic ring reconstruction using a double-barreled free vascularized fibula graft (VFG) after internal hemipelvectomy with special reference to long-term complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 9 consecutive patients (5 male, 4 female; mean age 31 years) who underwent pelvic ring reconstruction using a double-barreled free VFG after internal hemipelvectomy (P1, n = 4; P1 + 4, n = 3; P1 + 2, n = 2) at our institution between 1998 and 2013. The mean follow-up period was 55 months (range 3-131 months).

RESULTS

The mean length of the bone defect was 9 cm. The methods of fixation included a Cotrel-Dubosset rod (n = 4), screw (n = 3), and screw and plate (n = 2). Bone union was achieved in 5 of 8 patients (63 %) over a 1-year follow-up. The mean period required for bone union was 5.4 months (range 3-7 months). There were 3 early postoperative complications: 2 deep infections resulting in graft removal and 1 implant failure resulting in non-union. Among 3 patients, 2 developed scoliosis within 5 years. One patient developed lumbar disc hernia as a result of scoliosis, for which surgical intervention was required. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 57 % at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this reconstruction method can achieve an early and high rate of bone union and provide good functional outcome. However, follow-up with careful attention to postoperative complications, including deep infection in the early postoperative period and spinal deformity in the long term, is necessary.