Long-term physical and psychological outcome following traumatic hemipelvectomy

PURPOSE: First time examination of the physical and psychological long-term outcome following traumatic hemipelvectomy. METHODOLOGY: In this study, all patients suffering from traumatic hemipelvectomy that were treated in a level-A trauma center since 1988 were retrospectively evaluated. The authors aimed to compare the physical and psychological outcome following primary amputation (A) vs. limb-preservation (LP) procedures. The patients were examined with a focus on pain, function, mobility and general health. As part of this examination, various scores were recorded, i.e., Majeed Score, Time up & Go or SF-36. RESULTS: The following work showed 13 patients who had suffered a traumatic hemipelvectomy, 8 of whom survived. Five of these were available for subsequent clinical re-examination; of these, three patients underwent an amputation, while limb preservation was performed on two patients. Mean follow-up of the amputee group was after 12 years compared to 6.5 years following limb preservation. After limb preservation, both patients reported phantom limb pain at the affected leg, despite pain medication. The general state of health was assessed as 82/100 (A) and 45/100 (LP). The Majeed score was 61 (A) vs. 45 (LP). In the clinical examination, three out of five patients (2 LP, 1 A) showed peroneal palsy (PP). In the quality-of-life analysis based on the SF12/36 and the NHP, amputees scored higher than the patients who underwent limb preservation surgery. CONCLUSION: In our small patient cohort, satisfaction, pain and mobility tend to be better following primary amputation compared to limb preserving surgery.