Bilateral fibular graft: biological reconstruction after resection of primary malignant bone tumors of the lower limb

Infection of surgery for bone and soft tissue sarcoma with biological reconstruction: Data from the Japanese nationwide bone tumor registry

BACKGROUND

Although biological reconstruction (such as recycled autograft, vascularized autograft, allograft, or bone transport) is possible for bone defects after malignant bone or soft tissue tumor resection, a high incidence of postoperative complications, including infection, poses a problem. The difficulty in accumulating cases has resulted in a lack of reliable etiological information, such as the incidence and risk factors of postoperative infections.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on the nationwide registry data. The primary endpoint was the need for additional surgical intervention for infection control. The overall incidence of postoperative infection and the related risk factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

We included 707 malignant bone and soft tissue tumors with biological reconstruction, including recycled autograft, vascularized autograft, allograft, bone transport, and combinations of these. The incidence of postoperative infection was 10.8%. Patients reconstructed by pedicled autograft showed a higher incidence of infection, while cases involving the combination of recycled and pedicled autograft or allograft showed a lower incidence. Independent risk factors for infection included age over 17, tumor diameter over 10 cm, the tumor located on the trunk or being high grade, reconstruction by pedicled autograft, and delayed wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Infection incidence was comparable to those in previous reports. Several conventional and novel risk factors were extracted by administering nationwide registry data. Data from the nationwide registry was informative for analyzing the incidence of postoperative infection in biological reconstruction with malignant bone and soft tissue tumor resection.

Limb salvage surgery reconstructive techniques following long-bone lower limb oncological resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Limb salvage surgery (LSS) is now considered the gold standard surgical treatment for lower limb bone sarcomas. However, there is a paucity of literature comparing the various LSS reconstructive options. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare functional outcomes and complications of LSS reconstructive techniques.

METHODS

The primary aim of the meta-analysis was to determine functional outcomes from the pooled data utilizing the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score (MSTS). Comparisons could then made for this outcome between biological and prosthetic, vascularised and non-vascularised, and prosthetic and composite reconstructions. The secondary aim was to compare complication outcomes of each reconstruction. Standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) and odds ratios were estimated using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with a total of 785 patients were included. We found structural failure was 75% less likely to occur in prosthetic reconstruction compared to biological (OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07-0.79; P = 0.02). We did not find any evidence of difference in function (MSTS score) between vascularised verses non-vascularised reconstructions (Cohen's d = -1.14; 95% CI = -3.06 to 0.78; I2  = 87%). Other analyses comparing complications found no difference between the reconstructive groups.

CONCLUSION

The study found no correlation between functional outcomes and the type of LSS reconstruction. Structural failure was more likely to occur in biological when compared with prosthetic reconstruction. There was no correlation between the incidence of other complications and the type of LSS technique. This suggests a role for improved approaches to reconstruction methods including bioprinting and bioresorbable devices.

Vascularized fibular grafts for the treatment of long bone defects: pros and cons. A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To quantify union rate, complication rate, reintervention rate, as well as functional outcome after vascularized fibular bone grafts (VFGs) for the treatment of long-bone defects.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases up to August 18, 2020. Randomized controlled trials, comparative studies, and case series describing the various techniques available involving VFGs for the reconstruction of segmental long-bone defects were included. A meta-analysis was performed on union results, complications, and reinterventions. Assessment of risk of bias and quality of evidence was performed with the Downs and Black's "Checklist for Measuring Quality".

RESULTS

After full-text assessment, 110 articles on 2226 patients were included. Among the retrieved studies, 4 were classified as poor, 83 as fair, and 23 as good. Overall, good functional results were documented and a union rate of 80.1% (CI 74.1-86.2%) was found, with a 39.4% (CI 34.4-44.4%) complication rate, the most common being fractures, non-unions and delayed unions, infections, and thrombosis. Donor site morbidity represented 10.7% of the total complications. A 24.6% reintervention rate was documented (CI 21.0-28.1%), and 2.8% of the patients underwent amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis documented good long-term outcomes both in the upper and lower limb. However, VFG is a complex and demanding technique; this complexity means an average high number of complications, especially fractures, non-unions, and vascular problems. Both potential and limitations of VFG should be considered when choosing the most suitable approach for the treatment of long-bone defects.

The outcome of type 1 pelvic resection and reconstruction with pedicle screw-rod system without bone grafting in malignant pelvic tumour: A case series and short term review

INTRODUCTION

There is no consensus regarding the reconstruction method for type 1 resections around the pelvis. Various methods are currently used, such as resection without reconstruction, bone graft (autologous, recycled, allograft) with simple fixation, and pedicle screw-rod fixation with or without bone grafting. We aim to study the outcome of pedicle screw-rod reconstruction without bone grafting in type 1 pelvic resections involving sacroiliac joint to show that pedicle screw-rod construct alone is stable and has low risk of failure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of eight patients who underwent type 1 resection of malignant pelvic tumours and reconstruction with a pedicle screw-rod system between 2011 and 2018. All patients who underwent type 1 resection and reconstruction with pedicle screw without bone grafting were included into this study. We reported their clinical (complication and radiological outcome), oncological (local recurrence and metastasis), and functional outcome based on Musculoskeletal Tumour Society Score (MSTS) and The Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) at their last follow-up.

RESULTS

Eight patients were recruited into the study. The mean follow-up period was 58.5 months (range: 40 - 121 months). There were three postoperative complications in three different patients: superficial infection, surgical hernia with ipsilateral femoral avascular necrosis (AVN), and femoral nerve injury. At the end of the study period, one patient passed away due to disease progression, one patient was alive with disease, and the rest were disease-free. Mean MSTS score during last follow-up was 77.1% (range: 66.7% - 93.3%), while mean TESS score was 75.6% range (63.3% - 80.2%). There were no cases of implant failure.

CONCLUSION

Type 1 pelvic reconstruction with a pedicle screw-rod system is stable without a concurrent biological reconstruction, and it is feasible, with few complications, and an excellent functional outcome.

Recurrent GCT of Distal Femur Treated with Resection Arthrodesis with Non-Vascularized Bilateral Fibular Graft and A Custom-Made Interlock Nail

INTRODUCTION

Giant Cell Tumors commonly occur around the knee joint in the age group of 20-30 years. They are treated with intra-lesional curettage or local resection and limb reconstruction. Management of large bone defects after resection is a challenge and is of ten complicated with non-union of grafts, infection and delayed weight bearing.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 37-year-old male presented with an aggressive recurrent giant cell tumor of the distal femur. He was and was diagnosed with a GCT of the left distal femur 2 years ago for which he was treated with an intralesional curettage and Poly methylmetacrylate implantation. A resection arthrodesis using a bilateral non-vascularised intramedullary fibular graft and a custom made intramedullary nail was performed. The follow-up radiographs showed union at graft-host junction and hypertrophy of the grafted fibula at 2 years post surgery.

CONCLUSION

Non-vascularised fibular graft is an effective alternative for resection arthrodesis with the advantages of a simpler and shorter surgical procedure and without the needs for a microsurgical setup.

Simultaneous reconstruction of the bone and vessels for complex femoral defect

Background

Several methods have been reported for intercalary reconstruction of femoral defects. Of these, free vascularized fibula grafts (FVFG) are preferred because of their durability, bone-healing potential, and tolerance to infection. If the bone tumor invades the femoral vessels, simultaneous vascular reconstruction also becomes necessary and significant technical hurdles make limb salvage difficult.

Case presentation

We present a 10-year-old girl who underwent limb-sparing surgery for a distal femur osteosarcoma. The femoral defect was 15 cm long, and the femoral vessel defect was 10 cm long. The femur was reconstructed with bilateral FVFG, and the femoral vessels were reconstructed with saphenous vein grafts. The grafts survived without vascular compromise, and the affected limb was preserved successfully.

Conclusions

Combined use of bilateral FVFG and autologous vein grafts makes limb-sparing surgery for a large osteosarcoma of the femur possible.

Free Vascularized Fibular Graft Transfer in the Reconstruction of Defects for Premalignant and Malignant Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Femur in a Tertiary Care Setting in Pakistan: A Series of Six Cases

Objective

To determine the application, success and complications of the utilization of free vascularized fibular grafts (FVFG) in the reconstruction of lower limb defects after resection of primary lower limb musculoskeletal tumors.

Methodology

This descriptive retrospective case series analysis was conducted at Shifa International Hospital from January 2011 to January 2016. It included patients who had premalignant and malignant conditions of the lower limb and subsequently had the lesion resected followed by FVFG surgery. The data collected was to outline the demographic profile, clinical features, and post-procedure outcomes and complications.

Results

There was a total of six patients. The mean age of the patients was 25.8 ± 11.8 years (range: 15-40 years). The patients presented with pain, swelling, inability to bear weight and/or restriction of movement at the joint. Postoperatively, one patient had proximal wound necrosis and one patient had a thrombus in the anastomosed vessels, both of which were managed successfully.

Conclusion

With a success rate of 100% at the end of the six-month follow-up period, FVFG surgery is a reliable procedure that may be successfully carried out for musculoskeletal tumors of the lower limb with minimal complications.

The vascularised fibular graft for limb salvage after bone tumour surgery

Vascularised fibular grafts (VFGs ) are a valuable surgical technique in limb salvage after resection of a tumour. The primary objective of this multicentre study was to assess the risk factors for failure and complications for using a VFG after resection of a tumour.

The study involved 74 consecutive patients (45 men and 29 women with mean age of 23 years (1 to 64) from four tertiary centres for orthopaedic oncology who underwent reconstruction using a VFG after resection of a tumour between 1996 and 2011. There were 52 primary and 22 secondary reconstructions. The mean follow-up was 77 months (10 to 195).

In all, 69 patients (93%) had successful limb salvage; all of these united and 65 (88%) showed hypertrophy of the graft. The mean time to union differed between those involving the upper (28 weeks; 12 to 96) and lower limbs (44 weeks; 12 to 250). Fracture occurred in 11 (15%), and nonunion in 14 (19%) patients.

In 35 patients (47%) at least one complication arose, with a greater proportion in lower limb reconstructions, non-bridging osteosynthesis, and in children. These complications resulted in revision surgery in 26 patients (35%).

VFG is a successful and durable technique for reconstruction of a defect in bone after resection of a tumour, but is accompanied by a significant risk of complications, that often require revision surgery. Union was not markedly influenced by the need for chemo- or radiotherapy, but should not be expected during chemotherapy. Therefore, restricted weight-bearing within this period is advocated.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:853–61.