Pelvic reconstruction using saddle prosthesis following limb salvage operation for periacetabular tumour

To assess the clinical results of pelvic reconstruction using a saddle prosthesis following limb salvage operation for periacetabular tumour.

12 patients with sarcoma and 4 with metastasis involving the pelvis were treated using the saddle prosthesis between 1995 and 2003 inclusive. Wide pelvic resection was performed for all patients with sarcoma and one with a metastatic lesion; intralesional excision of the acetabulum was undertaken for the remaining 3 patients with metastatic lesions. Oncologic prognosis, operation time, postoperative function, and complications were assessed retrospectively.

Of the 12 patients with sarcomas, 5 were alive without evidence of recurrence after a mean follow-up of 37 months, one was alive with disease, 3 died of the disease, and 3 of other medical conditions. Respective mean postoperative functional scores according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society-International Symposium on Limb Salvage system and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score were 53 and 64% in patients undergoing wide acetabular resection, and 30 and 42% in patients undergoing intralesional excision of the acetabulum. In patients undergoing wide acetabular resection and intralesional excision of the acetabulum, the mean operation times were 391 and 162 minutes respectively, whereas the mean times to ambulation were 7 and 4 days respectively. Major complications included infection and dislocation.

Saddle prosthesis arthroplasty is a useful option for pelvic reconstruction following resection of acetabular malignancies. It is associated with a short operation time, rapid recovery, and moderately good postoperative function, but a relatively high risk of complications.