Purpose: The purpose of this report was to retrospectively review a series treated with pelvic tumour resection and massive allograft reconstruction, and determine survival of patients and implants, functional results and morbidity of surgical technique.
Methods: From 1999, 33 patients underwent pelvic tumour resection and massive allograft reconstruction. The mean age was 40 years (range, 14-72) and 29 patients had a primary malignant tumour. The resection involved the acetabular area in all but three patients.
Results: At a median follow-up of 33 months (range, two-143) four patients had local recurrence. The morbidity was high: five deep infections (15 %), requiring two allograft removal, six hip dislocations (18 %), eight sciatic nerve palsy (24 %), persistent in six cases, and two loosening of the acetabular component. Implant survival was 87.3 % at last follow up. The cumulative overall patient's survival was 41.5 % at five and ten years. The average MSTS functional score was 70 % (range, 54-100 %) when the acetabulum was preserved while it was 61 % (30-100 %) in patients with acetabular resection.
Conclusion: In conclusion, pelvic allografts represent a valid option for reconstruction after resection of pelvic tumours but due to the associated morbidity, patients should be carefully selected.