Septic complications in resection surgery for bone tumours

Septic complications occurring in 482 resections for bone tumours performed from 1976 to 1984 at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute Tumour Centre are reviewed. There were 56 cases of infection (11.6%), the incidence of which was related to the type of resection surgery, type of reconstruction, and such risk factors as radiotherapy, the use of acrylic cement, and immunodepression due to antiblastics. With the proper treatment of such septic complications, however, good functional results may be maintained and amputation avoided.