Complications following operative treatment of primary malignant bone tumours in the pelvis

Aim. To report the complication rates of limb-salvage reconstruction in the pelvis. Detailed analyses about the type, treatment and outcome of post-operative complications, various reconstruction options are presented. Methods. Factors that might influence the occurrence of complications were evaluated of 50 consecutive surgically treated patients. Results. The mean follow-up was 57 months. Limb-salvage procedures were used in 42/50 patients, amputations in 8/50 patients. After limb-salvage procedures complications occurred in 32/42 patients, after hemipelvectomy in 6/8 patients. The 1 and 5-year overall survival rate was 92 and 68%, respectively. Conclusion. There is a high complication rate in reconstructive techniques using hemipelvic autografts and/or allografts. These procedures are appropriate only in well selected patients. The complication rates following endoprosthetic reconstruction are comparably low.