Surgical technique of hemipelvectomy in the lateral position

Hemipelvectomy is most frequently indicated for sarcoma of the upper thigh, hip, or pelvis. With the patient in the lateral position the incision is made through the anterior abdominal wall, and the iliac vessels are dissected free and divided just distal to the aortic bifurcation. The multiple visceral branches of the internal iliac vessels are divided and ligated to expose the sacral nerve roots deep within the pelvis. The posterior skin flap is dissected free and the gluteus maximus muscle severed from its origin on the sacrum. Back muscles are detached from the wing of the ilium and the psoas muscle with accompanying obturator and femoral nerves is divided. The pelvis begins to open as the symphysis pubis is divided. Next the sacral nerve roots are divided and anterior capsule of the sacroiliac joint. The muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor are severed including the urogenital diaphragm, levator ani muscle, sacrotuberous ligament, and sacrospinalis ligament. The specimen is released by severing the sacroiliac joint posteriorly. The operative defect is closed by suturing gluteal fascia to inguinal ligament over suction drains.