ABSTRACT
Radiation therapy has been shown to be the most effective prophylactic measure against heterotopic ossification (HO) in surgically repaired hip fractures. Current research is seeking the minimum effective dose of radiation. The authors present four case reports and a review of the literature on HO.
Subject(s)
Hip Fractures/surgery , Ossification, Heterotopic/prevention & control , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Adult , Female , Hip Fractures/radiotherapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ossification, Heterotopic/radiotherapy , Postoperative Period , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients with 115 sites of skin cancer, predominantly involving the head and neck, treated with electron beam therapy. Our objective was to determine the local control rate, radiotherapy reactions, cosmesis, and salvage treatment. Forty-three percent of patients received radiotherapy after biopsy, 41% were treated for recurrence following other modalities of treatment, and 16% had positive margins after surgical excision. With minimum and mean follow-up of 24 and 47 months, respectively, local control was achieved in 88% of patients. Six of 14 local recurrences were salvaged by surgery (five patients) and radiotherapy (one patient) for a total local control of 93%. Serial photographs and data were available to analyze cosmesis in 56 patients. Excellent or good cosmesis was achieved in 91%. Side effects were mild and self-limiting. EBT is highly efficacious and offers excellent cosmesis.
