Applications of external fixation for management of complications associated with musculoskeletal tumors and related surgery
Abstract
Methods: Eighteen patients (9 males, 9 females; mean age 19 years; range 6 to 35 years) who were treated with EF were evaluated in three groups. Histologic diagnoses were osteosarcoma (n=3), Ewing’s sarcoma (n=3), hereditary multiple exostosis (n=3), chondrosarcoma (n=2), synovial sarcoma (n=2), Ollier’s disease, giant cell tumor of bone, desmoid fibroma, chondromyxoid fibroma, and enchondroma. Complications secondary to bone tumors (n=4) and occurring following limb salvage surgery (n=14) were treated with Ilizarov circular EF in nine patients, unilateral EF in six patients, and both in three patients.
Results: The first group included eight patients who were treated with EF for infection and nonunion or deformity following surgery. The mean shortening was 10.6 cm, the mean lengthening was 9.7 cm, and the mean external fixator index was 48.8 days/cm. One patient developed fracture of the free vascularized fibula graft after EF removal, and amputation was required in two patients. The second group consisted of six patients who had shortening secondary to tumor surgery. The mean shortening was 7.5 cm, the mean lengthening was 6.5 cm, and the mean external fixator index was 28 days/cm. In this group, the major complications were implant failure and knee stiffness. The third group included four patients with deformity and shortening secondary to multiple exostosis (n=3) and Ollier’s disease. The mean shortening was 7.5 cm, the mean lengthening was 6.5 cm, and the mean external fixator index was 57.2 days/cm. One patient developed ulnar shortening of 2 cm after growth.
Conclusion: The use of EF in the management of complications associated with bone tumors and related surgery yields successful results especially in young patients.
Keywords
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Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Levent Eralp
This is me
Berkin Toker
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Turgut Akgul
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Harzem Ozger
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Mehmet Kocaoglu
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Publication Date
August 10, 2009
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2009 Volume: 43 Number: 3