Internal hemipelvectomy and reconstruction with a megaprosthesis

We treated nine consecutive patients by internal hemipelvectomy and reconstruction with custom-made megaprosthesis between 1990 and 1997. Four had a primary malignant bone or soft tissue tumour, one a recurrent benign giant cell tumour, three solitary metastatic bony lesions, and one a pelvic defect secondary to multiple revision procedures after total hip replacement. After a mean follow-up period of 62 (40-102) months five patients were still alive, including four of the eight patients with tumours. Three patients died as a result of the malignant disease, and one died of an infection related to the surgical treatment after 10-41 months. In two patients removal of the prosthesis was required due to infection, and six patients suffered various complications. One patient had an excellent outcome.