Allogeneic bone transplantation for pelvic reconstruction of large skeletal defects after tumor resection

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of allogeneic bone transplantation for pelvic reconstruction of large skeletal defects after tumor resection. METHODS: Between January 2008 and November 2009, 9 patients with pelvic tumor were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 1 male and 8 females with an average age of 36.1 years (range, 18-44 years). There were 5 cases of giant cell tumor of bone, 2 cases of chondrosarcoma, 1 case of malignant giant cell tumor of bone, and 1 case of Ewing sarcoma. According to the Enneking system for staging musculoskeletal tumors, the lesion involved ilium (region I) in 4 cases, acetabulum (region II) in 6 cases, pubis and ischium (region III) in 3 cases, and sacrum (region IV) in 1 case. The average disease duration was 6.8 months (range, 1-36 months). After accurate resection of the tumor, allograft ilium with or without acetabulum was used in 6 cases and 2 cases respectively, and allogenous bone plate in 1 case for pelvic reconstruction; total hip arthroplasty was performed in 6 cases; sacrum screw was used in 1 case. RESULTS: Infection of incision and abdominal distention occurred in 1 case, and was cured after debridement; primary healing of incision was obtained in the other cases, without infection, lower limb deep venous thrombosis, or dislocation. The average follow-up was 11.8 months (range, 8-15 months). The X-ray films showed breakage of plate in 1 case at 8 months after operation and partial bone resorption in 2 cases; good position of the prosthesis, plate, and transplanted bone was observed in the other cases. No local recurrence was found. At last follow-up, the average musculoskeletal tumor score (MSTS) was 23 (range, 18-29). CONCLUSION: Allogeneic bone transplantation for pelvic reconstruction of large skeletal defects after tumor resection can achieve satisfactory short-term surgical and functional effectiveness.