Reimplantation of devitalized tumor-bearing bone in pelvic reconstruction after en-bloc tumor resection

Abstract

To analyze the clinical outcome of an operative technique using recycling bones to reconstruct pelvis after primary malignant pelvic tumor resection. Fifteen patients who presented with malignant pelvic tumors were treated by wide or marginal resection and reconstruction using recycling bone in our institute from January 2003 to December 2011. The median age was 31 (15-62) years, and the most common diagnosis was chondrosarcoma, followed by Ewing sarcoma. The operative technique consisted of en-bloc excision of the pelvic tumor, removal of soft tissue, curettage of the tumor, incubated in 65 °C 20% hypertonic saline for 30 minutes, reimplantation of recycling bone, and internal fixation with plates, screws and/or total hip replacement. Bone cement was used to augment bone strength when necessary. Bone healing features and function of lower limbs were evaluated with the International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) graft evaluation method and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, respectively. Adjuvant therapies were used according to the type and extension of the primary tumor. One patient died of severe peri-operative bleeding 2 days after operation, and the other patients were followed-up for 6 to 96 months (mean 40.4 months), and 5 patients died of local recurrence or metastasis. Eleven operations were followed by complications of any kind. Most mechanical complications were related to the use of hip arthroplasties, where implant breakdown and dislocation were the commonest.Infection was seen in 7 cases (superficial 4 cases and deep 3 cases). Healing and functional scores were fair. The median ISOLS score and MSTS score were 81.0% (range 30.0% to 95.0%) and 60.0% (range 23.0% to 93.0%), respectively. Recycling reconstruction technique is valid for young patients with low-grade chondrosarcoma or other chemo-sensitive tumor in pelvis. Although many complications are seen, this method remains our treatment of choice.