Related Experiment Videos
Operative management of impending pathological fractures: a critical analysis of therapy
E Van Geffen1, T Wobbes, R P Veth
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Evident and impending pathological fractures should be stabilised operatively because patients are in serious pain and debilitated for their remaining life span.
Methods:
We evaluated survival and functional results after operative therapy. A retrospective study was conducted concerning 116 patients with 152 impending pathological fractures.
Results:
Of all operated patients, postoperatively 79% regained walking capacity and 60% required no or only occasional analgesic drugs. Patients operated on for impending pathological fractures showed better functional results, as well as those operated with the additional use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Prophylactic use of antibiotics reduced the number of infectious complications significantly. The median survival after operative therapy was 15 months.
Conclusions:
We conclude that impending pathological fractures should be operatively stabilised, if possible, with the additional use of PMMA because of better functional results.