Extended total sacrectomy and reconstruction for sacral tumor.

STUDY DESIGN: This case report includes the results of long-term follow-up after extended total sacrectomy in a 13-year-old boy with a sarcoma originating in the sacrum with an extraskeletal extension and infiltration into the left ilium.

OBJECTIVE: To report and discuss a case of sacral tumor treated by extended sacrectomy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sacral tumors are often at an advanced stage with a large volume at diagnosis. Although total or extended sacrectomy is the only radical means to treat the massive sacral tumor, unavoidable complications in total sacrectomy are serious in the treatment selection.

METHODS: Initial histologic findings indicated a synovial sarcoma. Additional genetic analysis redesignated the tumor as an unclassified sarcoma. Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were completed. The response to the preoperative treatment appeared as a reduction in tumor size (approximately 50%) on radiographs. After extended sacrectomy, the L5 vertebral body was fixed between the ilia, and the pelvic ring was compressed by the Zielke system. The ISOLA instrumentation system connected the lumbar spine and both ilia. All sacral nerve roots and the L5 root on the left side were cut.

RESULTS: At the 5-year follow-up examination, the patient was disease-free, could walk with crutches, and could climb stairs using the handrail and one crutch.

CONCLUSIONS: The patient's excellent response to preoperative antitumor treatment was considered crucial to the long-term outcome. But the decision between a radical resection with reconstruction and a less extensive procedure with combined therapy remains controversial.