Hemipelvectomy in malignant neoplasms of the hip region

The authors report the results of 76 hemipelvectomies performed from 1978 to 1988 in malignant neoplasms of the hip region. Several surgical techniques were employed, including King and Steelquist's "classic" technique (77%), the technique involving the anterior flap of the thigh (9%), and the technique involving the subcutaneous gluteal flap (14%). In 8 cases palliative surgery was performed. Of the remaining 68 patients, 31 (45%) are alive and show no signs of the disease after an average of 44 months. Postoperative complications are discussed in relation to surgical technique and previous adjuvant therapy; the subcutaneous gluteal flap technique exposes the patient to the greatest risk of major complications (54%), while the "classic" technique is the most reliable, although there was superficial infection in 18% of cases. Fifty percent of the patients previously treated with radiotherapy suffered local postoperative complications. In order to reduce local recurrence, special care is advised in the preoperative stages and in the execution of the pelvic osteotomies.