Bone transport using the Ilizarov method for osteosarcoma patients with tumor resection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: Studies on the applications of bone transport using the Ilizarov method for osteosarcoma (OS) patients with surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy are rare. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 10 patients with limb OS receiving limb-salvage treatment by Ilizarov method from 2007 to 2012 in our hospital. The general information, treatment outcomes and follow-up data of the patients were collected. RESULTS: The mean length of the transported fragment and the mean transport distance of the affected limb were both 14 cm. The mean time in the external fixator was 34.2 ± 11.2 months (16–47 months) and the mean external fixation index (EFI) was 75 days/cm. The mean follow-up time was 68.6 ± 26.6 months (37–103 months). Seven patients underwent additional operations to treat the postoperative complications, and the mean number of operation was 1.7 times. Only one patient underwent amputation due to tumor relapse and all patients survived without tumor. The limb-salvage rate was 90%. At the time of external fixator removal, the ASAMI-bone score was good in 66.7% of patients and the ASAMI-function score was fair in 66.7% of cases. The mean MSTS score was 18.6 ± 3.2 (n = 9). At 10 months after fixator removal, both the ASAMI-bone score and ASAMI-function score were both excellent in 80% and good in 20% cases, and the mean MSTS score was further improved to 27.2 ± 1.11 (n = 5). CONCLUSION: Bone transport using the Ilizarov method can achieve good therapeutic effectiveness in the limb-salvage treatment for OS patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy as long as the complications can be timely recognized and well managed.