Citations

AbstractIntroductionSacral tumor resection is known for a high rate of complications. Sarcopenia has been found to be associated with wound complications; however, there is a paucity of data examining the impact of sarcopenia on the outcome of sacral tumor resection.MethodsForty‐eight patients (31 primary sarcomas, 17 locally recurrent carcinomas) undergoing sacrectomy were reviewed. Central sarcopenia was assessed by measuring the psoas:lumbar vertebra index (PLVI), with the 50th percentile (0.97) used to determine which patients were high (>0.97) versus low (<0.97).ResultsTwenty‐four (50%) patients had a high PLVI and 24 (50%) had a low PLVI (sarcopenic). There was no difference (p > 0.05) in the demographics of patients with or without sarcopenia. There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative wound complications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.0, p = 1.0) or deep infection (OR = 0.83, p = 1.0). Sarcopenia was not associated with death due to disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.04, p = 0.20) or metastatic disease (HR = 2.47, p = 0.17), but was associated with local recurrence (HR = 6.60, p = 0.01).ConclusionsCentral sarcopenia was not predictive of wound complications or infection following sacral tumor resection. Sarcopenia was, however, an independent risk factor for local tumor recurrence following sacrectomy and should be considered when counseling patients on the outcome of sacrectomy.

AbstractIntroductionEndoprosthetic or allograft reconstruction are the preferred reconstruction techniques for proximal humeral bone tumors. Failure of these reconstructions may occur, but historically revision is performed rarely due to the lack of reliable options. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty with an allograft prosthetic composite (rAPC) may provide a revision option. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate our institutional outcome of these procedures.MethodsEleven (6 male, 5 female) patients (mean age 51 ± 17 years) underwent revision of a failed oncologic reconstruction of the proximal humerus utilizing a rAPC. The most common indication for revision was subluxation (n = 6) and the most common previous implant was an endoprosthesis (n = 5).ResultsRevision resulted in improvements in shoulder elevation (39° vs. 62°, p = 0.02), external rotation (13° vs. 25°, p = 0.04), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (39 vs. 58, p = 0.004) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scores (51% vs 69%, p = 0.002). There were 2 re‐revision procedures performed. One for an allograft fracture and one for allograft resorption and loosening.ConclusionsRevision with a rAPC can effectively restore patient function. Due to the complexity of the cases, we advocate for these procedures to be performed by subspecialty upper extremity surgeons trained in complex revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Background. Limb-salvage surgery combined with radiotherapy has become the primary treatment for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity. Free functional latissimus flaps (FFLF) are an option to restore function in the setting of volumetric muscle loss. The purpose of the current study was to examine the use of FFLF in patients undergoing resection of thigh sarcoma. Methods. Twelve patients with a sarcoma involving the hamstring (n = 6), quadriceps (n = 5), or combined (n = 1) defects which included multiple muscle groups were reviewed. This included 9 males and 3 females with a mean age and body mass index of 56 ± 12 years and 31.3 ± 5.7 kg/m2. Results. The mean defect volume and operative time was 3,689 ± 2,314 cm3 and 587 ± 73 minutes. Following reconstruction, the mean knee range of motion (ROM), MSTS93 score, and muscle strength was 89 ± 24°, 90 ± 15%, and 4 ± 1; with 75% of patients ambulating without gait aids. Seven (58%) patients sustained a complication, namely, delayed wound healing (n = 2). Conclusion. Although there was a high incidence of complications, FFLF can restore active knee ROM and function, with most patients ambulating without gait aids following reconstruction of large oncologic defects in the thigh.

Abstract PURPOSE Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a potential adverse effect following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases. In this analysis, we developed and internally validated a risk stratification model for VCF. METHODS From an initial set of 680 treatments, we excluded those with proton therapy, prior surgical intervention, or missing data. The final dataset had 464 treatments in 313 patients. Delineations of VCF and all radiographic components of the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) were determined by a radiologist. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was conducted using separate training (70%), internal validation (15%), and test (15%) sets. The log-rank test was used as the criterion for node splitting. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 21 months, we identified 84 VCF (18%), including 65 (77%) de novo and 19 (23%) progressive fractures. There was a median 9 months (IQR: 3 – 21) to VCF. From an initial set of 15 candidate variables, six were identified using the backwards selection method, feature importance testing, and a correlation heatmap. Four were then selected in the highest-fidelity RPA models: epidural tumor extension, lumbar location, gross tumor volume &gt; 10 cc, and SINS &gt; 6. One point was assigned to each variable, and the resulting multivariate Cox model had a concordance of 0.760. Each one point increase in score was associated with increasing rates of VCF. Low-risk lesions (score: 0-1, n=273) had 2-year freedom from VCF of 92%, compared to 80% for intermediate-risk (score: 2, n=99) and 56% (score: 3-4, n=92) for high-risk lesions (p &lt; 0.0001). Cumulative incidence curves with death as a competing risk showed increased VCF with higher scores via Gray’s test (p &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our internally-validated model identifies a subgroup of patients with high risk for VCF who may benefit from prophylactic surgical stabilization or vertebroplasty.

AbstractIntroductionThe elbow is a rare location for primary and metastatic tumors in the upper extremity. The goal of reconstruction is to provide painless motion and stability for hand function. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is commonly utilized, with either off‐the‐self components, modular segmental endoprosthesis, or allograft‐prosthesis composites (APC). The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare commonly utilized elbow reconstructions and report outcomes of (1) patient function and (2) implant survival and complications.MethodsWe reviewed 33 patients (18 females and 15 males) undergoing elbow arthroplasty for reconstruction of an underlying oncologic process including linked TEA (n = 22, 67%), APC (n = 9, 27%), and endoprosthesis (n = 2, 6%). The most common indication was metastatic disease (n = 17, 52%), with 24 patients (73%) presenting with a pathologic fracture.ResultsFive‐year implant survival was following elbow reconstruction was 88%. The mean most recent Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score were 84 ± 18 and 78 ± 15%. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 elbows (45%), most commonly periprosthetic fracture (n = 5, 15%), leading to reoperation in six elbows (18%).ConclusionAlthough elbow arthroplasty is associated with a high incidence of complications, it provides a stable platform for upper extremity function in patients with oncologic processes of the elbow.