Surgical resection and reconstructive techniques using autologous femoral head bone-grafting in treating partial acetabular defects arising from primary pelvic malignant tumors

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to present and evaluate surgical resection and reconstructive techniques using autologous femoral head bone-grafting in treating partial acetabular defects arising from primary pelvic malignant tumors. METHODS: From January 2009 until January 2015, a total of 20 primary pelvic malignancy cases involving the acetabulum were retrospectively investigated. Surgical resections and reconstructions were conducted based on the type of the tumor with custom osteotomy guides and autologous femoral head bone-grafting. In all cases, prosthesis survival period, complication occurrence, and clinical outcomes data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen male and 7 female patients with an average age of 48 years old (range 23-69 years old) were followed for a median of 69 months (range 48-112 months). Of these cases, 17 included chondrosarcomas and 3 additional patients with a malignant giant cell tumor of bone (MBGCT) as proven by pathology. During follow-up, 3 cases of chondrosarcoma recurred (15%), of which two cases received hemi-pelvic amputation, 1 case of MBGCT relapsed and developed pulmonary metastases. Two cases of acetabular prosthesis with an impending dislocation received closed reduction followed by 6 weeks of hip abduction brace fixation. One case of prosthesis loosening was revised. In another case a deep infection occurred with debridement and prosthesis removal. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 1993 (MSTS-93) score was utilized to conduct functional evaluation: 13 cases were good, 6 were average and one was poor. CONCLUSION: The precision of the osteotomies performed is likely crucial for this type of reconstructive strategy to be successful. The use of custom guides for acetabular osteotomies and femoral head reconstruction can improve functional outcomes with relatively low complications at the intermediate length of follow-up.