Limb salvage surgery in primary bone tumors. The Saint Savvas experience in 52 patients.

Between 1983 and 1996, 52 patients with primary bone neoplasms underwent limb salvage surgery using endoprostheses in 36 cases, internal hemipelvectomy in 6 cases, Tihoff-Lindberg arthroplasty in 9, and knee arthrodeses in 2 patients. 22 of 36 patients with an endoprostheses could walk without instability or pain. However, major complications occurred as local recurrence in 9 patients and deep infection in 5 patients which led to amputation in 2 patients. Good function was achieved in all patients that underwent hemipelvectomy, but the local recurrence rate was high. Good function was also achieved in patients who underwent a Tihoff-Lindberg procedure.