Objective To analyze the effectiveness and application value of epiphysis preserving by the method of physeal distraction for treatment of femur osteosarcoma in children’s limb saving surgery. Methods Between January 2007 and January 2011, 6 patients with femur osteosarcoma underwent epiphysis preserving operation by physeal distraction. There were 4 males and 2 females with a mean age of 11.4 years (range, 9-14 years). The mean disease duration was 4.8 months (range, 1-9 months). The pathology confirmed osteosarcoma in all patients by core needle or open biopsy, including 1 case of osteogenic sarcoma, 1 case of chondroblastic osteogenic sarcoma, 1 case of osteoblastic osteogenic sarcoma, and 3 cases of no classified osteosarcoma. The clinical stage was IIA in 1 case and IIB in 5 cases according to the Enneking staging system. All patients received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before operation. Then physeal distraction was performed for 4-7 days (mean, 5.7 days) based on Cantilde;adell technique. After 1-2 days of physeal distraction, massive allograft bones and interlocking intramedullary nails were used to reconstruct bone defect after tumor resection. All patients received another 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy and were followed up. Bone healing, limb discrepancy, and complications were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed by the system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and the range of motion (ROM) of both knee joints. Results Superficial infection occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing change, and primary healing was obtained in the other patients. All 6 patients were followed up 2.5 years on average (range, 1-5 years). Symptoms of pain and swelling disappeared. No complication of allograft rejection, loosening or breaking of fixation occurred. No relapse or metastasis happened during follow-up. Bone healing was observed at the metaphysis junction in 5 cases at 6-9 months after operation and in 1 case at 14 months. Delayed union happened at the diaphysis junction in all patients. Different amount of callus formation was seen at the surface of diaphysis junction, but the fracture line remained clear at 12-48 months after operation. At last follow-up, limb discrepancy was 1-3 cm in 4 patients and 3-5 cm in 2 patients; 3 patients had compensatory scoliosis, and 2 patients had claudication. The MSTS score was 27.20 ± 1.92, showing significant difference (t= — 4.12, P=0.00) when compared with preoperative score (19.60 ± 2.74). The ROM of affected knee was (127.00 ± 17.89)°, showing no significant differences when compared with preoperative ROM (109.00 ± 12.45)° (t= — 1.84, P=0.10) and with ROM of normal knee (126.00 ± 9.62)° (t= — 0.11, P=0.92). Conclusion Limb saving surgery by physeal distraction can be used in young patients with open epiphyseal plate, which has the advantages of simple operation, good effectiveness, and less complications.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transposition of the medial gastracnemius muscle flap in the limbsalvage operation of the proximal tibial tumors. Methods From January 2001 to September 2005, 13 patients (8 males,5 females; aged 14-57 years, averaged 29.7 years) suffering from the proximal tibial tumors were treated with a limbsalvage operation. Among them, there were 4 patients with osteosarcoma, 6 with malignant fibrous histocytoma, 1 with malignant giant cell tumor, 1 with synovial sarcoma, and 1 with Ewing’s sarcoma. According to the Enneking staging system, 1 case was in Stage ⅠB, 9 in Stage ⅡA, and 3 in Stage ⅡB. One or two cycles of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were used to each of the patients before operation. All of the patients underwent the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle flap transposition to reconstruct the soft tissues after resection of the tumors and reconstruction of the bone defect by prothesis or bone-graft or the two methods combined. Results The follow-up for 7-47 months (average, 19.2 months) in all the patients revealed that. there was no flap necrosis, no skin necrosis at the incision margins, and no infection or fracture of the implanted bone. The patient with malignant fibrous histocytoma died of systemic metastasis 20 monthsafter operation. The patient with Ewing’s sarcoma had a local tumor recurrence 18 months after operation; though treated with the focal cleaning and the bone cement filling, the patient still developed lung metastasis of the tumor 26 months after operation. The patient with osteosarcoma underwent amputation 12 months after operation because of the tumor recurrence. According to the function assessment by the Mankin system, there were 6 patients who had an excellent result, 4 had a good result, and 3 had a poor result, with a satisfaction rate of 77%. Conclusion The flap transposition of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle can reconstruct the soft tissue defect, decrease the local complication rate and improve the clinical outcome of the limb salvage for the proximal tibia malignant tumor.
Objective To investigate the possibility of using extendible distal femoral replacements in the treatment of osteosarcoma in growing individuals. Methods From December 1999 to March 2003, 3 cases (2 were typeⅡB, 1 was type ⅡA) with osteosarcoma were treated byextendible distal femoral replacements. Of the 3 cases, 2 underwent prosthesis extention operation, 1 was not operated. Results After the removal of tumor, the extremities of 2 patients were shortened by 4 to 5 cm within 2 to 3 years. After the lengthening procedure, the affected extremities were of equal length to the unaffected extremities and no drag symptoms of blood vessel and nerves were observed. Follow-up was done for 2 months to 3 years. There was no aseptic loosening. The function of joints was fairly good. Conclusion Extendible distal femoral replacements is an easy, convenient, and effective way to treat osteosarcoma.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of transposition of the gastracnemius muscle in the limb-salvage operation of the proximal tibial tumor. METHODS From 1995, transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle was applied to cover the devitalized bone, bone cement or autologous bone graft in 15 cases with tumors of the proximal tibia (transposition of medial heads of gastrocnemius muscle in 12 cases, and lateral heads of gastrocnemius muscle in 3 cases respectively). Among them, there were 7 osteosarcomas, 5 giant cell tumors, 1 malignant fibrous histocytoma, 1 chondrosarcoma and 1 osteoblastoma. The operations included segmental devitalization with 95% alcohol in 7 cases, knee reconstruction of the unilateral tibial plateau with iliac graft in 5 cases, segmental devitalization with microwave in 2 cases, local resection and bone graft in 1 cases. RESULTS Apart from 2 cases whose wounds needed suturing again due to the liquefaction of the subcutaneous fat around the incision, no wound complications were occured in other 13 patients. No significant loss in the function of the leg and ankle was observed after transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle. There was no local recurrence, but 3 patients died due to lung metastases. CONCLUSION Transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle after resection of promixal tibial tumors can improve the local blood supply, cover the deep structures and prevent from the failure of limb-salvage operation due to wound complications.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of salvage of lower limb with long-time injury of popliteal artery. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with injury of popliteal artery were treated. The interval between injury and repair of artery ranged from 12 hrs to 48 hrs. The essences of operation were thorough debridement of the ischemic and necrotic muscles, primary suture of wound, and repair of popliteal artery on the basis of reduction and fixation of fracture. RESULTS: The limb salvage were achieved in 19 cases. The saved limbs could fulfill the basic function of walk. CONCLUSION: Thorough debridement of ischemic and necrotic muscle and primary suture of wound were reasonable methods which could treat long-time injury of popliteal artery without amputation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the reasons and managements of implant-related complications after hinge knee replacement for tumors around the knee. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 96 patients undergoing hinge knee replacement between January 2000 and December 2012. There were 64 males and 32 females with the mean age of 31.0 years (range, 15-72 years). The most common tumor type was osteosarcoma (72 cases), and the second was giant cell tumor (15 cases). The tumor located at the distal femurs in 52 cases and at the proximal tibias in 44 cases. Fifteen hinge and 81 rotating hinge prostheses were used. The recurrence, metastasis, and survival were recorded. The implant-related complications were observed. ResultsThe median follow-up time was 43.5 months (range, 10-156 months). Complications were observed in 21 patients (25 implant-related complications);13 complications located at the femur and 12 complications at the tibia. The complications included aseptic loosening (8 cases), deep infection (7 cases), prosthetic breakage (4 cases), peri-prosthetic fracture (2 cases), and dislocation (4 cases). Most deep infection occurred within 12 months after operation (6/7), and most aseptic loosening after 40 months of operation (6/8). The rate of limb salvage was 90.6% (87/96) and the amputation rate was 9.4% (9/96). The overall survival rate of the prosthesis was 76.7% (5-year) and 47.2% (10-year). The 5-year survival rate was 82.9% for femoral prosthesis and 71.0% for tibial prosthesis, showing no significant difference (P=0.954). ConclusionHinge knee prosthesis still has a high rate of complications. Deep infection is main reason to decrease short-term prosthetic survival rate, and aseptic loosening shortens the long-short prosthetic survival time.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of the Ilizarov technique for infection after the limb salvage operation of primary bone tumor. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 6 patients with infection treated with Ilizarov technique after limb salvage operation of primary bone tumor between July 2012 and April 2015. There were 4 males and 2 females, aged 18-40 years (mean, 28 years). Tumor types included 3 cases of osteosarcoma and 3 cases of giant cell tumor of bone. Tumor located at the left distal femur in 2 cases, at the right distal femur in 1 case, at the left proximal tibia in 1 case, and at the right proximal tibia in 2 cases. Six cases had recurring infection after debridement. The patients underwent operation 2 to 5 times (mean, 3.5 times). The time from tumor resection to visiting was 8-20 months (mean, 14.3 months). During operation, the internal implant was removed; infection and necrotic tissue was removed thoroughly; and the Ilizarov external fixator was installed. After operation, gentamycin normal saline was used for 2 to 3 weeks, and the sensitive antibiotic intravenous infusion was performed at the same time. After 1 week, the osteotomy lengthening was used. ResultsAll 6 patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months (mean, 12.2 months). Pin tract infection occurred in 1 case after operation; primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients, and no related complications occurred. The external fixation time ranged from 6 to 16 months (mean, 11.5 months). The healing indexes ranged from 34 to 62 days/cm (mean, 52.0 days/cm). After removal of the external fixator, the knee range of motion ranged from 0 to 5° (mean, 3°) in extension, and from 120 to 130° (mean, 125°) in flexion. The American musculo-skeletal tumor society system (MSTS) function scoring was excellent in 3 patients, good in 2 patients, and fair in 1 patient, with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%. During follow-up period, there was no recurrence of infection; and no recurrence or metastasis was found in 3 patients with osteosarcoma. ConclusionInfection can be cured by Ilizarov technique after limb salvage operation of bone tumor.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effectiveness of unicompartment allografts replacement for reconstructing bone defect after bone tumor resection around knee.MethodsBetween January 2007 and January 2014, a total of 9 patients received unicompartment allografts replacement to treat bone tumor around the knee, including 6 males and 3 females, with an average age of 25.8 years (range, 17-38 years). There were 7 patients with bone giant cell tumor (postoperative recurrence of bone giant cell tumor in 1 case) and 2 patients with chondromyxoid fibroma. The tumors were located at the distal femur in 7 cases and proximal tibia in 2 cases, and the tumors were almost at the lateral limbs. The symptom duration was 2-5 months (mean, 3.2 months). The size of lesion ranged from 6 cm×2 cm to 9 cm×4 cm by X-ray film and MRI; and the metastasis was excluded by CT. The length of the allograft was 8.0-9.2 cm (mean, 8.6 cm).ResultsThe intraoperative blood loss volume was 400-550 mL (mean, 480 mL); and 0-3 U of erythrocyte was transfused after operation. The continuous exudate of incision occurred in 1 patient, and cured after 3 months; the other incisions healed primarily at 2 weeks after operation. All patients were followed up 3-10 years (mean, 6 years). No operation area infection, allograft bone poor healing or rupture was found. At 1 year after operation, the knee range of motion was 90-110° (mean, 100°); the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 24-29 (mean, 26). Low density area (osteolysis) was found in 6 allografts; no articular surface collapse, hairline fracture, or fracture was found in patients; callus formation was observed in the contact surface between the allograft and the host bone, and the cortical bone showed good continuity.ConclusionUnicompartment allografts replacement can provide good support and function in terms of bone tumor resection, and achieve good effectiveness by biological reconstruction.