Outcomes of distal femoral replacement versus internal fixation for metastatic bone diseases of the distal femur.

Background: In clinical practice, internal fixation (IF) is a commonly utilized technique for metastatic bone disease (MBD) to the distal femur. Additionally, distal femoral reconstruction (DFR) has shown to be an effective surgical technique for primary tumors and MBD in the distal femur. The existing body of research comparing these methods has not focused on MBD or pathological fractures and thus does not guide surgical approach in the case of distal femoral MBD. Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective review of musculoskeletal oncology patients treated surgically with IF (n = 29) or DFR (n = 34) for distal femoral MBD between 2005 and 2023. Overall survival, revision risk, and functional status were assessed. Results: 5-year patient overall survival was 47.9 % (CI, 29.5-77.6 %) and 46.6 % (CI, 31.5-68.8 %), for DFR and IF, respectively (p = 0.91). After competing risk analysis, the 5-year risk of implant revision for DFR was 18 % (95 % CI: 5.1-37 %) and 11 % for IF (95 % CI: 2.4-28 %) (p = 0.3). DFR had longer operative times (p = 0.002), higher blood loss (p < 0.001), and greater postoperative (p = 0.006) complications than IF. In addition, patients undergoing DFR had more distal lesions than patients who received IF (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Despite similar overall survival and revision rates, IF may be preferable for patients due to its shorter operative time and lower rates of complication than DFR. However, specific anatomic location in the distal femur must be considered prior to deciding which procedure is optimal.

Does Perioperative Radiation Affect Implant Survivorship of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in the Setting of Metastatic Bone Disease?

Background: Metastatic bone disease (MBD) commonly affects the hip and surgical intervention including total hip arthroplasty (THA) is often indicated to treat the joint and improve function. Patients with metastatic cancer often receive radiotherapy, and orthopaedic oncologists must consider surgical risks with operating on irradiated bone and soft tissue. We evaluated surgical outcomes and implant survival (IS) of titanium acetabular components and femoral components in patients treated for MBD in the setting of perioperative radiation. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent THA for MBD at 3 institutions between 2017 and 2021. Outcomes included rates of reoperation, complications, IS, and overall survival. Results: Forty-six patients who received primary THA for MBD were included in the study. Twenty patients (43.5%) received perioperative radiation for MBD. Six postoperative complications including one superficial wound infection, 2 dislocations, 2 pathologic fractures, and one aseptic acetabular component loosening led to 5 reoperations. There were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes, reoperation after THA, and IS based on radiotherapy status. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first paper evaluating primary THA outcomes and IS between patients who receive perioperative radiation for MBD to the hip and those who do not. As surgical management is a crucial part of the treatment in alleviating pain and disability in patients with MBD, we continue to recommend THA for patients who received radiation at the operative site.

Opiate use after total hip arthroplasty for metastatic bone disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate post-operative opioid use following a total hip arthroplasty (THA) in metastatic bone disease (MBD) patients and identify factors associated with post-operative opioid use at 6 weeks and 90 days. BACKGROUND: MBD commonly affects the hip, and surgical intervention including THA may be indicated for pain relief or to improve function. Following THA, patients are often prescribed short courses of opioids for post-operative pain relief. No study has evaluated opiate use following THA in patients for MBD. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients using opioids preoperatively who underwent primary THA for MBD at two institutions between 2009 and 2022. Preoperative and post-operative opioid usages, respectively, at 6 weeks and 90 days were quantified through calculating daily morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) and compared using the sign test. Factors associated with post-operative opioid use at 6 weeks and 90 days were compared using χ2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. RESULTS: Nineteen THA and 11 THA with complex acetabular reconstruction were included. At 6 weeks, 26 (86.7 percent) patients were utilizing opiates, and at 90 days, 23 (76.7 percent) patients were utilizing opiates. There was a statistically significant difference between median daily preoperative MME compared to daily MME at 90 days (p < 0.001). The only statistically significant association with opioid use at 90 days was opioid use at 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first paper evaluating post-operative opioid use following primary THA in MBD patients. After THA in the setting of MBD, patients exhibit decreased post-operative opioid use. Future studies with larger cohorts should be conducted to characterize post-operative opioid use following joint arthroplasty in MBD patients.

Evaluating factors affecting length of hospital stay in patients with metastatic bone tumors.

BACKGROUND: Specific medical conditions known to increase LOS following orthopedic surgery including congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus and COPD. It is also known that patient demographics such as increasing age and non-white race can negatively affect orthopedic surgical outcomes However, there is a lack of research examining the effect of these variables on patients with metastatic bone disease regarding length of hospital stay and ultimately economic burden following surgery. The aim of this study is to identify factors affecting LOS in patients following surgery for bone metastasis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was used to extract data from 93 patients with an underlying diagnosis of bony metastatic cancer who underwent an orthopedic surgical procedure. Data collected included: length of hospital stay, demographic information (age, sex, race, BMI, smoking status), complications (infection, DVT, PE, fractures), pre-operative lab values (WBC, Albumin, Creatinine, HbA1c), primary cancer type, and surgical procedure measures to understand which factors affected LOS. RESULTS: Increased LOS in this specific patient population was found to be associated with pre-existing diabetes (P = 0.005), obesity (P = 0.025), multiple disease sites (P = 0.042), or disease at the femur (P = 0.035). Patients had a decreased LOS when undergoing a prophylactic procedure (3.53 days vs 5.51 days for non-prophylactic procedure). DISCUSSION: These findings allow providers to better communicate expectations regarding the duration of admission and allows for a better estimation of cost burden for patients and health systems. The present study demonstrates increased LOS in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures for metastatic bone disease who had pre-existing diabetes, obesity, multiple disease sites, disease in the femur, or surgery for a pathologic fracture (as opposed to a prophylactic procedure). Understanding the factors affecting LOS in this patient population can optimize preoperative care, improve communication between the patient and provider, and ultimately decrease financial burden.

Tranexamic acid improves early postoperative mobilization in cancer patients undergoing endoprosthetic reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to decrease perioperative blood loss, transfusions, and cost in patients undergoing resection of aggressive bone tumors and endoprosthetic reconstruction. This study explored the effect of TXA administration on postoperative mobilization in these patients. METHODS: This study included 126 patients who underwent resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic reconstruction; 61 patients in the TXA cohort and 65 patients in the non-TXA cohort. Postoperative physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy notes were reviewed; patient ambulation distance and duration of therapies were recorded. RESULTS: Patients in the TXA cohort ambulated further on all postoperative days, which was significant on postoperative Day 1 (POD1) (p = 0.002) and postoperative Day 2 (POD2) (p < 0.001). The TXA cohort ambulated 85% further per PT session 87.7 versus 47.4 ft (p < 0.001) and participated 14% longer, 36.1 versus 31.7 min (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified a significant inverse association between postoperative hospitalization length and POD1, POD2, postoperative Day 3, and total ambulation (p < 0.001). Blood transfusion was independently associated with a 1.5 day increase in postoperative hospitalization (95% confidence interval: 0.64-2.5; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TXA administration was associated with increased postoperative ambulation and endurance. Increased postoperative ambulation was associated with decreased length of stay and increased likelihood to discharge home.

Tranexamic Acid in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Endoprosthetic Reconstruction: A Cost Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Tranexamic acid (TXA) decreases blood loss, perioperative transfusion rates, and cost in total hip and total knee arthroplasty. In a previous study, topical TXA decreased both perioperative blood loss and transfusions in patients undergoing resection of aggressive bone tumors and endoprosthetic reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to explore the cost effectiveness of TXA in patients undergoing resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic reconstruction, assessing transfusion cost, TXA administration cost, postoperative hospitalization cost, posthospital disposition, and 30-day readmissions. METHODS: This study included 126 patients who underwent resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic resection at a single academic medical center; 61 patients in the TXA cohort and 65 patients in the non-TXA cohort. The cost of 1 unit of packed red blood cells, not including administration or complications, was estimated at our institution. The cost of hospitalization was estimated for lodging and basic care. The cost of TXA was $55 per patient. Patients were followed up for 30 days to identify hospital readmissions. RESULTS: Patients in the TXA cohort experienced a TXA and blood transfusion cost reduction of $155.88 per patient (P = 0.007). Proximal femur replacement patients experienced a $282.05 transfusion cost reduction (P = 0.008), whereas distal femur replacement patients only experienced a transfusion cost reduction of $32.64 (P = 0.43). An average hospital admission cost reduction of $5,072.23 per patient (P < 0.001) was associated with TXA use. Proximal femur replacement patients who received TXA experienced a hospital cost reduction of $5,728.38 (P < 0.001), whereas distal femur replacement patients experienced a reduction of $3,724.90 (P = 0.01). No differences between the cohorts were identified in discharge to home (P = 0.37) or readmissions (P = 0.77). DISCUSSION: TXA administration is cost effective in patients undergoing resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic reconstruction through reducing both perioperative transfusion rates and postoperative hospitalization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III-Retrospective Cohort Study.

A comparison of depth of necrosis among adjuvant therapies used for the treatment of benign bone tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Benign bone tumors are often treated with extended curettage utilizing an adjuvant therapy to eliminate any remaining tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare the histologic depth of necrosis created by various adjuvant therapies used in the treatment of benign bone tumors. METHODS: A high-speed burr was utilized to create cortical defects within porcine humeri and femora. Phenol, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), argon beam coagulation (ABC), liquid nitrogen, and the Bipolar Hemostatic Sealer (BHS) were each applied to five defects, with an additional five defects left untreated as a control. The maximal depth of necrosis was determined under microscopic examination. RESULTS: The phenol, PMMA, ABC, liquid nitrogen, and BHS demonstrated an average histologic depth of necrosis of 0.30, 0.78, 2.54, 2.54, and 0.92 mm, respectively, each of which was significantly increased compared to the control group (p = .001, .003, .003, .01, and  <.001). Their respective variances, a measure of reproducibility, were 0.01, 0.09, 0.96, 1.93, and 0.03 mm2 . CONCLUSION: This study confirms, through histologic analysis, adjuvant therapies create a rim of cellular necrosis beyond that of burring during extended curettage, supporting their use in the treatment of benign bone tumors. Furthermore, it provides a head-to-head comparison.

Your role in early diagnosis & Tx of metastatic bone disease.

This approach to the work-up and diagnosis will help you to ensure prompt treatment while maximizing your patient's quality of life.

Sacroiliac joint cut accuracy: Comparing new technologies in an idealized sawbones model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The anatomical complexity of the pelvis creates challenges for orthopaedic oncologists to accurately and safely resect tumors involving the sacroiliac joint. Current technology may help overcome these obstacles. METHODS: Four fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists performed 22 all-posterior sacroiliac cuts using freehand, computerized navigation, and patient-specific cutting guides on a Sawbones male pelvis model. Cut accuracies to preoperative planned margins were analyzed via a high-resolution optical scanner. Soft tissue damage was determined by visually inspecting the Sawbones foam placed on the far side of the cut. RESULTS: Within 5 mm of the margins, the freehand technique resulted in 67.0% cut accuracy, the navigation technique had 71.1%, and the patient-specific cutting guide technique had 85.6% (P = .093). Within 2 mm, the techniques showed an accuracy of 25.8%, 32.5%, and 47.5%, respectively (P = .022). Regarding soft tissue damage, the freehand technique exhibited minimal penetration damage for 16.7% of the cuts, while navigation and patient-specific guide techniques exhibited 25.0% and 75.0%, respectively (P = .046). Years of surgical experience of the operator (1-7) did not influence the cut accuracy for any method. CONCLUSIONS: Under ideal conditions, patient-specific guide technology possesses the same or better accuracy as other cutting techniques as well as the circumvention of soft tissue damage.

Tranexamic Acid in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Endoprosthetic Reconstruction: A Retrospective Review.

INTRODUCTION: Endoprosthetic reconstruction presents a significant risk of perioperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent used to reduce blood loss in orthopaedic procedures. The safety and efficacy of TXA in arthroplasty are well documented. There is, however, a dearth of literature exploring the safety and efficacy of TXA in musculoskeletal oncology patients. This retrospective, comparative study explores the effects of TXA on perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion rates, venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurrence, and hospital stay in patients undergoing resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic reconstruction. METHODS: For the study, charts from a total of 90 patients who underwent resection of an aggressive bone tumor and endoprosthetic reconstruction were reviewed; of these patients, 34 were in the TXA group and 56 in the non-TXA group. Study participants composed of a heterogeneous group of patients with primary bone sarcoma and metastatic osseous disease. Patients in the TXA group received 1 g of topical TXA administered into the wound bed before closure. The Hemoglobin Balance method was used to calculate blood loss. Patients were followed for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Patients undergoing proximal femur replacement and distal femur replacement in the TXA group experienced a 796 and 687 mL reduction in 72-hour mean blood loss, respectively (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.006). Average blood transfusions decreased by 0.45 U of packed red blood cells per patient in the TXA group (P = 0.048) and transfusion incidence decreased by 21.1% compared with the non-TXA group (P = 0.04). Patients undergoing proximal femur replacement in the TXA group left the hospital 2.2 days earlier than those in the non-TXA group (P = 0.0004). No increase in VTE rate was observed with TXA use. DISCUSSION: This study found results similar to total joint arthroplasty with regard to TXA's effect on perioperative blood loss, transfusion rates, hospital stay, and VTE occurrence. It provides initial data to support the efficacy of topical TXA use in this patient cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.