Do locking plates have a role in orthopaedic oncological reconstruction
Shishir Rastogi1, Ashok Kumar, Shah Alam Khan
1Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|February 19, 2010
Summary
Locking plates expedite bone healing and early mobilization in Indian patients undergoing skeletal reconstruction for bone tumors. Careful surgical planning and graft support are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Oncology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Investigating the efficacy of locking plates for skeletal reconstruction in Indian patients with bone tumors.
- Addressing challenges in bone tumor resection and reconstruction in a specific patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role and outcomes of locking plate fixation in skeletal reconstruction after bone tumor resection.
- To assess the impact on bony union, joint mobility, and weight-bearing capacity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 20 Indian patients undergoing skeletal reconstruction with locking plates.
- Inclusion of cases involving limb salvage surgery and pathological fracture fixation.
- Data collection on patient demographics, surgical procedures, and follow-up outcomes.
Main Results:
- Average age of patients was 30.1 years; minimum follow-up was 11 months.
- Eighteen out of 20 reconstructions remained intact, with an average follow-up of 17 months.
- Locking plates expedited union in pathological fractures (4 weeks) and after limb salvage (120 days); Vicryl mesh contained grafts in 17 cases.
Conclusions:
- Locking plates facilitate early mobilization and weight-bearing, particularly in Indian patients with late-stage presentations.
- Optimal outcomes depend on careful patient selection, preoperative planning, and graft support (autograft/allograft).
- Vicryl mesh aids in containing morcellized grafts, enhancing reconstruction stability.
