Lower limb reconstruction in tumor patients using modular silver-coated megaprostheses with regard to perimegaprosthetic joint infection: a case series, including 100 patients and review of the literature.

PURPOSE AND

OBJECTIVE

Bone resection regarding adequate surgical margins is the treatment of choice for malignant bone tumors. In the case of metastasis-related complications, so-called skeletal-related events, it is highly important to achieve pain relief and a stable joint situation to re-mobilize the patients immediately following surgery. To bridge the often large osseous defect zones after tumor resection, both cemented and uncemented modular endoprosthetic systems are widely used. Patients undergoing tumor-related endoprosthetic orthopedic surgery are facing high risk for developing a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The immunocompromised condition due to anti-neoplastic treatment and long operation time with large exposure of tissue contributes to a high risk of infection.

METHODS

The authors present a case series of 100 patients (31% primary bone tumor and 69% metastasis-related surgery) undergoing tumor-related lower limb salvage surgery with special regard to periprosthetic joint infection and the management of this "difficult to treat" situation. Furthermore, a review of the current literature regarding infection following bone tumor resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction is performed and discussed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 24 months (range 12-108 months). Ten patients (10%) suffered from a periprosthetic joint infection. We recorded six acute infections (type I) <4 weeks after surgery, one infection >4 weeks after surgery (type II), and three late infections (type III). According to the definition of Laffer et al., three of our patients (30%) are probably free of infection, one patient died of PJI-associated sepsis, and five patients were free of infection, but without restoration of the affected joint.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our own results show that perimegaprosthetic joint infection among silver-coated implants, in patients undergoing tumor-related surgery of the lower limb, is lower compared to non-silver-coated implants. Due to heterogeneity of patients and potential treatment options, the treatment regime should be tailored for the patients' individual situation.