Ilioinguinal approach to manage benign pelvic and acetabular tumors

Benign osteoblastic and cystic lesions involving the anterior column and wall of the pelvis and acetabulum are technically difficult areas to approach and achieve successful surgical outcomes. Tumors in this area are rare, leaving little information in the literature regarding how best to surgically approach them. Previous authors have reported small series of patients treated using anteromedial, iliofemoral, and intracapsular dissections. The ilioinguinal approach has been extensively described and used in the modern-day treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures involving the anterior column and wall. Despite its use for acetabular trauma, application of the ilioinguinal approach in the treatment of benign pelvic and acetabular lesions has not been described. We reviewed the management of 5 patients with benign pelvic or acetabular tumors treated using the ilioinguinal approach. Diagnoses included aneurysmal bone cysts in 3 patients and osteoid osteomas in 2 patients, involving the pelvic anterior column and wall. The approach has permitted satisfactory exposure of the lesions for operative treatment. At an average follow-up of 3 years (range, 2-4 years), excellent functional outcome and no recurrences were noted. There were 2 patients with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsies, both of which resolved completely by 8 weeks. Encouraging results from our study demonstrate a new application for the ilioinguinal approach in the treatment of benign anterior column and wall lesions of the pelvis and acetabulum.