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Background: The development of new technologies, the interpretation of amputations as therapeutic failures by society, and the high morbidity and mortality associated with external hemipelvectomies make these mutilating surgical procedures appear obsolete. Herein, we review the scientific literature on the topic and present two cases of high-grade ulcerated soft tissue sarcomas in the gluteal region which show exceptional behavior and different outcomes. Methods: We performed a literature review of the PubMed databases from 2014 to April 2024. Additionally, we present two cases of soft tissue sarcomas in an 18-year-old female patient and in a 71-year-old female patient, which were treated with extended external hemipelvectomies with anterior flap, in combination with an abdominoperineal amputation and a colostomy in one case. Results: After 4 years of follow-up, case 1 is living a relatively normal life. She had an uncomplicated pregnancy and a cesarean section delivery. Case 2 underwent emergency surgery for intestinal perforation and sepsis. She died 2.5 months following the surgery. Conclusions: External hemipelvectomy for soft tissue sarcoma treatment is a demanding surgical procedure with purpose in selected cases after review by multidisciplinary committees and with informed patient consent. This should be similarly individualized and extended to other pathologies when possible.

Background Periprosthetic femoral fractures following hip arthroplasty (FH-PPF) represent a severe complication, especially in elderly patients with compromised health. Traditionally, revision arthroplasty is recommended for B2–B3 FH-PPF, yet internal fixation has emerged as a debated alternative in select patients. The hypothesis was that fixation, in selected patients with B2–B3 FH-PPF, decreases mortality and surgical complication rates with the same functional outcomes as revision arthroplasty. Materials and methods PIPPAS is a multicenter prospective observational study. This cohort substudy includes 485 patients across 57 hospitals with B2–B3 FH-PPF between January 2021 and May 2023. Management strategy, revision or fixation, was at the attending surgeon’s discretion. Propensity score matching, controlled for age, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (a-CCI), prefracture mobility, Pfeiffer scale, and ASA score, was done. Mortality risk factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Out of 485 patients, 164 received fixation, and 321 underwent revision. Fixation patients were older (88 versus 82 years, p  < 0.001) and frailer. Fixation was associated with shorter hospital stay (13 versus 15 days, p  = 0.003) but higher 1-year mortality (25% versus 14.3%, p  = 0.04). There were no differences in medical or surgical complications ( p  = 0.83 and p  = 0.36) at any time, but dislocation rate was higher in the revision group ( p  = 0.001). The 1-year mortality rate in patients with no weight-bearing restrictions was higher for the revision group ( p  = 0.01). The propensity score matching showed higher 1-year mortality rate in the fixation group but no differences in functional outcomes, complications, or up to 6-months mortality. In the multivariate analysis a-CCI, cognitive impairment, B3 fractures, and prefracture independent walking impairment were independent mortality risk factors. Conclusions Revision arthroplasty showed less 1-year mortality rate and weight-bearing restrictions than fixation. However, frail patients with B2–B3 FH-PPF managed with fixation allowing full weight-bearing showed a lower 1-year mortality rate. Fixation in B2–B3 FH-PPF is a treatment option in frail patients, while aiming for stable constructions allowing full weight-bearing. Level of Evidence II: prospective cohort study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04663893) Graphical Abstract

BackgroundThe incidence of all periprosthetic fractures (PPF), which require complex surgical treatment associated with high morbidity and mortality, is predicted to increase. The evolving surgical management has created a knowledge gap regarding its impact on immediate outcomes. This study aimed to describe current management strategies for PPF and their repercussions for in-hospital outcomes as well as to evaluate their implications for the community.MethodsPIPPAS (Peri-Implant PeriProsthetic Survival Analysis) was a prospective multicentre observational study of 1387 PPF performed during 2021. Descriptive statistics summarized the epidemiology, fracture characteristics, management, and immediate outcomes. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was employed to evaluate potential predictors of in-hospital mortality, complications, discharge status, and weight-bearing restrictions.ResultsThe study encompassed 32 (2.3%) shoulder, 4 (0.3%) elbow, 751 (54.1%) hip, 590 (42.5%) knee, and 10 (0.7%) ankle PPF. Patients were older (median 84 years, IQR 77–89), frail [median clinical frailty scale (CFS) 5, IQR 3–6], presented at least one comorbidity [median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) 5, IQR 4–7], were community dwelling (81.8%), and had outdoor ambulation ability (65.6%). Femoral knee PPF were most frequently associated with uncemented femoral components, while femoral hip PPF occurred equally in cemented and uncemented stems. Patients were managed surgically (82%), with co-management (73.9%), through open approaches (85.9%) after almost 4 days (IQR, 51.9–153.6 h), with prosthesis revision performed in 33.8% of femoral hip PPF and 6.5% of femoral knee PPF. For half of the patients, the discharge instructions mandated weight-bearing restrictions. In-hospital mortality rates were 5.2% for all PPF and 6.2% for femoral hip PPF. Frailty, age > 84 years, mild cognitive impairment, CFS > 3, CCI > 3, and non-geriatric involvement were candidate predictors for in-hospital mortality, medical complications, and discharge to a nursing care facility. Management involving revision arthroplasty by experienced surgeons favoured full weight-bearing, while an open surgical approach favoured weight-bearing restrictions.ConclusionsCurrent arthroplasty fixation check and revision rates deviate from established guidelines, yet full weight-bearing is favoured. A surgical delay of over 100 h and a lack of geriatric co-management were related to in-hospital mortality and medical complications. This study recommends judicious hypoaggressive approaches. Addressing complications and individualizing the surgical strategy can lead to enhanced functional outcomes, alleviating the economic and social burdens upon hospital discharge.Level of Evidence Level IV case series.Trial registration: registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04663893), protocol ID: PI 20-2041.