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Most patients requiring midface reconstruction have had ablative surgery for malignant disease, and most require postoperative radiotherapy. This type of facial reconstruction attracts controversy, not only because of the many reconstructive options, but also because dental and facial prostheses can be very successful in selected cases. This Personal View is based on a new classification of the midface defect, which emphasises the increasing complexity of the problem. Low defects not involving the orbital adnexae can often be successfully treated with dental obturators. For the more extensive maxillary defects, there is consensus that a free flap is required. Composite flaps of bone and muscle harvested from the iliac crest with internal oblique or the scapula tip with latissimus dorsi can more reliably support the orbit and cheek than soft-tissue free flaps and non-vascularised grafts, and also enable an implant-borne dental or orbital prosthesis. Nasomaxillary defects usually require bone to augment the loss of the nasal bones, but orbitomaxillary cases can be managed more simply with local or soft-tissue free flaps. We review the current options and our own experience over the past 15 years in an attempt to rationalise the management of these defects.

Abstract BACKGROUND Autologous bone removed during craniectomy is often the material of choice in cranioplasty procedures. However, when the patient's own bone is not appropriate (infection and resorption), an alloplastic graft must be utilized. Common options include titanium mesh and polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-based custom flaps. Often, neurosurgeons must decide whether to use a titanium or custom implant, with limited direction from the literature. OBJECTIVE To compare surgical outcomes of synthetic cranioplasties performed with titanium or vs custom implants. METHODS Ten-year retrospective comparison of patients undergoing synthetic cranioplasty with titanium or custom implants. RESULTS A total of 82 patients were identified for review, 61 (74.4%) receiving titanium cranioplasty and 21 (25.6%) receiving custom implants. Baseline demographics and comorbidities of the 2 groups did not differ significantly, although multiple surgical characteristics did (size of defect, indication for craniotomy) and were controlled for via a 2:1 mesh-to-custom propensity matching scheme in which 36 titanium cranioplasty patients were compared to 18 custom implant patients. The cranioplasty infection rate of the custom group (27.8%) was significantly greater (P = .005) than that of the titanium group (0.0%). None of the other differences in measured complications reached significance. Discomfort, a common cause of reoperation in the titanium group, did not result in reoperation in any of the patients receiving custom implants. CONCLUSION Infection rates are higher among patients receiving custom implants compared to those receiving titanium meshes. The latter should be informed of potential postsurgical discomfort, which can be managed nonsurgically and is not associated with return to the operating room.

IntroductionArthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (ASCR) using fascia lata autograft is a new surgical technique developed to overcome irreparable rotator cuff tears. There is little information about graft tear after ASCR and its impact on clinical outcome. This study is to investigate the graft tear rate, pattern of failure, and its correlation with clinical outcomes after arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (ASCR).Materials and methodsFrom June 2013 to June 2016, 31 shoulders in 31 consecutive patients (mean 65.3 years) underwent ASCR using fascia lata autograft for irreparable large-to-massive tears. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before surgery and at mean 12.8 months (12–24 months) after surgery to assess fatty infiltration progression and graft integrity. Graft tear was defined as the loss of graft continuity and was categorized as medial and lateral rows according to the failure location. Acromiohumeral distance (AHD) was pre- and postoperatively measured with the standard radiograph. Pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, constant score, and physical examination were used to assess clinical outcomes. Average follow-up was 15 months (range 12–24 months) after surgery.ResultsMean active forward elevation increased from 133° to 146° (P = 0.011). Mean VAS score, ASES score, and constant score significantly improved: from 6 to 2.5, 54.4 to 73.7, and 51.7 to 63.7, respectively (P < 0.001). There was no remarkable progression of fatty infiltration after surgery. AHD increased from 5.3 mm preoperatively to 6.4 mm postoperatively (P < 0.016). Nine patients (29%) showed graft tear on follow-up MRI: 7 and 2 at the medial and lateral rows, respectively. Although the intact graft group showed better outcomes than the graft tear group (pain VAS score 2.3 vs. 3.0; ASES score 74.1 vs. 69.8; constant score 63.4 vs. 57.9), the results were not statistically significant.ConclusionsGraft tear rate after ASCR assessed by MRI was 29%, and failures mostly occurred at the medial row. The graft tear group showed clinical improvement despite the recurred superior capsule defect.Level of evidenceIV, case series, treatment study.

Background Resection of diaphyseal bone tumors for local tumor control and stabilization often results in an intercalary skeletal defect and presents a reconstructive challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Although many options for reconstruction have been described, relatively few studies report on the functional outcomes and complications of patients treated with modular intercalary endoprostheses. Questions/purposes The objectives of this study were to examine clinical outcomes after reconstruction with a modular intercalary endoprosthesis with a specific focus on (1) the rate of complication or failure; (2) differences in complication rates by anatomic site; (3) functional results as assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society System (MSTS); and (4) differences in complication rate between patients treated with cemented versus noncemented fixation. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated with a modular intercalary endoprosthesis from three musculoskeletal oncology centers from 2008 to 2013. The indication for use of this intercalary endoprosthesis was segmental bone loss from aggressive or malignant tumor with sparing of the joint above and below and deemed unsuitable for biologic reconstruction. No other implant was used for this indication during this period. During this period, 41 patients received a total of 44 intercalary implants, which included 18 (40%) humeri, 5 (11%) tibiae, and 21 (48%) femora. There were 27 (66%) men and 14 (34%) women with a mean age of 63 years (range, 18–91 years). Eight patients (20%) had primary bone tumors and 33 (80%) had metastatic lesions. Thirty-five (85%) patients were being operated on as an initial treatment and six (15%) for revision of a previous reconstruction. Twenty-nine (66%) procedures had cemented stem fixation and 15 (34%) were treated with noncemented fixation. The overall mean followup was 14 months (range, 1–51 months). Patients with primary tumors had a mean followup of 19 months (range, 4–48 months) and patients with metastatic disease had a mean followup of 11 months (range, 1–51 months). Causes of implant failure were categorized according to Henderson et al. [ 19 ] into five types as follows: Type I (soft tissue failure), Type II (aseptic loosening), Type III (structural failure), Type IV (infection), and Type V (tumor progression). At 2 years of followup, 38 (93%) of these patients were accounted for with three (7%) lost to followup. MSTS functional assessment was available for 39 of 41 patients (95%). Results At latest followup of these 41 patients, 14 (34%) patients were dead of disease, two patients (5%) dead of other causes, seven (17%) are continuously disease-free, one (2%) shows no evidence of disease, and 17 (41%) are alive with disease. There were 12 (27%) nononcologic complications. Five (11%) of these were Type II failures occurring in noncemented implants between the stem and bone, and six (14%) were Type III failures occurring in cemented implants at the clamp-rod implant interface. One patient developed a deep infection (2%, Type IV failure) and underwent removal of the implant. Additionally, one patient (2%, Type V failure) was treated by amputation after local progression of his metastatic disease. Complications were more common in femoral reconstructions than in tibial or humeral reconstructions. Twelve of 21 patients (57%) with femoral reconstructions had complications versus 0% of tibial or humeral reconstructions (0 of 23; odds ratio [OR], 62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3–1154; p < 0.0001). The mean overall MSTS score was 77%. Implants with cemented fixation (29) had higher mean MSTS scores when compared with implants with noncemented (15) fixation (84% versus 66%, p = 0.0017). The complication rate was 33% in noncemented cases and 21% in cemented cases (p = 0.39); however, Type II failure at the bone-stem interface was associated with noncemented fixation and Type III failure at the clamp-rod interface was associated with cemented fixation (OR, 143; 95% CI, 2.413–8476; p = 0.0022). Conclusions The results of this study indicate that this modular intercalary endoprosthesis yields equivalent results to other studies of intercalary endoprostheses in terms of MSTS scores. We found that patients treated with intercalary endoprostheses in the femur experienced more frequent complications than those treated for lesions in either the humerus or tibia and that the femoral complication rate of this endoprosthesis is higher when compared with other studies of intercalary endoprostheses for femoral reconstruction. Further studies are still needed to determine the long-term outcomes of this endoprosthesis in patients with primary tumors where longevity of the implant is of more importance than in the metastatic setting. We recommend cemented fixation for this intercalary modular endoprostheses because this provides improved MSTS scores and allows immediate return to weightbearing, which is of advantage to metastatic patients with limited lifespans. Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study.

Background Surgeries for primary malignancies involving upper sacrum require total en bloc sacrectomy followed by complex mechanical reconstruction, which might be simplified by application of the three-dimensional (3D) printing technique. Purposes To describe the design of a 3D-printed custom-made prosthesis for reconstruction after total en bloc sacrectomy, the surgical technique, and the clinical and functional outcome of a patient. Methods A 62-year-old patient with recurrent sacral chordoma was admitted in our center. One-stage total en bloc sacrectomy through posterior approach was planned, and a 3D-printed sacral prosthesis was prepared for reconstruction according to the anticipated osteotomic planes. Results The patient received one-stage total en bloc sacrectomy through posterior approach followed by reconstruction with the 3D-printed sacral prosthesis. The whole procedure took 5 h, and intra-operative blood loss was 3400 ml. The patient recovered uneventfully and started ambulation at 3 weeks after surgery. An asymptomatic instrument failure was found radiographically at 8-month follow-up. At 1 year after surgery, the patient was disease free and could walk over short distance with crutches without pain or any mechanical instability. Conclusions The advantages of our reconstruction method included: (1) the prosthesis provided an optimal reconstruction of lumbosacral and pelvic ring by integrating spinal pelvic fixation, posterior pelvic ring fixation, and anterior spinal column fixation in one step and (2) its porous surface could induce bone ingrowth and might enhance stability. Although there was an instrumental failure, we considered that it could be one reconstructive option. More research is warranted focusing on the modification of locations, diameters, and quantity of screws and biomechanical characteristics. The long-term functional and bone in-growth outcome will be followed to validate the use of the prosthesis.

Background Biodegradable implants reduce the likelihood of further surgery for hardware removal and reduce the risks of associated infection and allergy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and determine the comparability of biodegradable magnesium alloy MgYREZr (MAGNEZIX® CS) compression screw fixation compared with standard titanium screw fixation in the surgical treatment of hallux valgus deformity. Methods Eleven patients undergoing corrective surgery for hallux valgus utilising biodegradable magnesium screws and a control group of 25 patients undergoing corrective hallux valgus surgery with standard titanium screws were reviewed at a median of 19 months (range 12–30 months). PROM scores (Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), Foot and Ankle Outcomes Instrument (FAOI) and the EQ-5D-3 L) were recorded preoperatively and at latest follow-up. Results The results between the two groups were broadly similar, with the Magnesium and Titanium patients showing similar patterns in the various domains in the MOXFQ, the FAOI and the EQ-5D-3 L. Most patients reported a near full shoe comfort score, and EQ-5D-3 L scores were significantly improved in both patient groups (with most patients reporting a full score). Foot pain and foot function improved irrespective of the scoring systems and patients in both groups demonstrated significantly improved scores following the surgery ( p  < 0.05). Notably, there were no significant differences when comparing the post-operative scores between the groups for any individual scoring parameter . No impairment to quality of life was recorded. There were no intra or post-operative complications. There were no problems encountered through the use of the bioabsorbable screws. Conclusion Biodegradable magnesium-based compression screws appeared to be safe in this study and are an effective fixation device in the treatment of hallux valgus deformity with clinical outcomes similar to standard titanium screw fixation.

Background Primary bone or soft tissue tumors of the femur sometimes present with severe and extensive bone destruction, leaving few limb-salvage options other than total femur replacement. However, there are few data available regarding total femur replacement and, in particular, regarding implant failures. Questions/purposes We asked: (1) What are the revision-free and overall implant survival rates of conventional total femur replacements in patients treated for sarcoma of the femur or soft tissues? (2) What are the revision-free and overall implant survival rates of expandable total femur replacements in skeletally immature patients? (3) Using the comprehensive International Society of Limb Salvage failure-mode classification, what types of complications occur with conventional and expandable total femur replacements? Patients and Methods Our retrospective, single-center cohort study was based on data prospectively collected for 50 patients who received a total femur replacement after tumor resection for indications other than carcinoma or metastatic disease. Of the 50 patients, six (12%) were lost to followup before 6 months. Ten of the remaining 44 patients received expandable implants. The mean followup was 57 months (range, 1–280 months) and 172 months (range, 43–289 months) for patients who underwent conventional and expandable total femur replacements, respectively. For implant survival, competing risk analyses were used. Results At 5 years, revision-free implant survival of conventional total femur replacements was 48% (95% CI, 0.37–0.73), and overall implant survival was 97% (95% CI, 0.004–0.20). Five-year revision-free implant survival of expandable total femur replacements was 30% (95% CI, 0.47–1.00) and overall implant survival was 100%. With conventional total femur replacements soft tissue failures occurred in 13 of 34 patients, structural failures in three, infection in six, and local tumor progression in one. No patient had aseptic loosening with conventional total femur replacements, but hip disarticulation occurred in two patients owing to extensive wound-healing problems and infection. With expandable total femur replacements soft tissue failure, aseptic loosening, and infection occurred in one patient each of 10, and structural failures in three of 10 (two periprosthetic fractures, one loosening of an enhanced tendon anchor). No hip disarticulations were performed. Additionally expandable total femur replacement-related failures included hip instability in eight of 10 patients, contractures attributable to massive scar tissue in six, and defect of the implant’s expansion mechanism in four patients. Conclusions Although the indications for total femoral resection are rare, we think that total femur replacement is a reasonable treatment option for reconstruction of massive femoral bone defects after tumor resection in adults and skeletally immature patients, and results in limb salvage in most patients. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

The Pipeline embolization device (PED; Chestnut Medical, Menlo Park, CA) is a new endovascular construct designed to exclude aneurysms from the parent cerebrovasculature. We report the results of the first two human implantations of this device in North America. Two patients presenting with large, symptomatic, circumferential, fusiform intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms were treated with the PED. In both cases, more traditional open microneurosurgical and neuroendovascular treatment strategies had either failed or were associated with unacceptably high risk. Three PEDs were placed across the aneurysms in each of the patients to achieve reconstruction of a new parent vessel through the center of a circumferential aneurysm. In the first patient, who had previously been treated with stent-supported coil embolization, the PED construct alone was sufficient to achieve parent vessel reconstruction and exclusion of the recurrent aneurysm. In the second patient, a microcatheter was jailed within the saccular portion of the aneurysm and the parent vessel was reconstructed with three telescoped PEDs. Although the PED construct dramatically reduced flow into the aneurysm, the lesion remained patent. Coiling of the saccular portion of the aneurysm was subsequently performed via the jailed microcatheter. Follow-up angiography performed 72 hours after the procedure demonstrated occlusion of the aneurysm with cylindrical reconstruction of the affected vascular segment. Neither patient has experienced any complication in the periprocedural period (30 d) or during subsequent long-term (>1 year) follow-up. The PED represents an important advance in the endovascular therapy of cerebral aneurysms, targeting primary parent vessel reconstruction rather than endosaccular occlusion as a means by which to achieve exclusion of the aneurysm and definitive anatomic reconstruction of the parent artery.

Background There are several options for reconstruction of proximal humerus resections after wide resection for malignant tumors in children. The clavicula pro humero technique is a biologic option that has been used in the past, but there are only scant case reports and small series that comment on the results of the procedure. Because the longevity of children mandates a reconstruction with potential longevity not likely to be achieved by other techniques, the clavicula pro humero technique may be a potential option in selected patients. Questions/purposes (1) How successful is the clavicula pro humero procedure in achieving local tumor control? (2) What is the frequency of nonunion? (3) What are the complications of the procedure? (4) What scores do patients achieve (on the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) after this procedure? Methods Four university hospitals performed the clavicula pro humero technique in eight children aged 8 to 18 years between June 2006 and February 2014. During that period, general indications for this approach included all reconstructions of the proximal humerus for malignant tumors in children older than 8 years. All patients were followed for a mean of 40 months (range, 25–86 months); one patient was lost to followup before 2 years. The tumor resections removed the rotator cuff muscles in all patients, glenohumeral joint in five, and deltoid muscle in three. The median length of the bone defect after resection was 20 cm (range, 7–25 cm). It was reduced to 9 cm (range, 0–17 cm) or 27% (range, 0%–64%) of the total humerus length after clavicular rotation. Direct osteosynthesis (one patient), induced membrane technique (one patient), or vascularized fibular autograft (six patients) was used to complete the defect after rotation of the clavicle if necessary. Presence of union (defined as bone healing before 10 months, as assessed by disappearance of the osteotomy on AP and lateral view radiographs), and complications were determined by chart review performed by a surgeon not involved in patient care. Function assessed by the MSTS and the TESS scores were determined by the patients with their families. Results None of the patients had tumor recurrence. One patient died of pulmonary metastases before the 2-year followup. Proximal and distal bone unions were achieved before 10 months without an additional surgical procedure in two and six of seven patients, respectively. Fourteen local complications occurred resulting in nine revision operations. The main complication was aseptic proximal pseudarthrosis (five patients); other complications included one proximal junction fracture, one clavicle fracture complicated by clavicle osteolysis, one distal junction fracture, one necrosis of the skin paddle of the fibular autograft, one glenoclavicular ossification, and one distal pseudarthrosis complicated by a fracture of this distal junction. Function, as assessed by the MSTS score, was a median of 23 of 30 (range, 11–27). The median TESS score was 82% (range, 75%–92%). Shoulder ROM (median; range) in abduction, front elevation, and external and internal rotations were 70°(30°–90°), 75°(30°–85°), 10°(0°–20°), and 80°(80°–100°), respectively. Three of the seven patients reported dissatisfaction with the cosmetic appearance. Conclusions The clavicula pro humero technique achieved oncologic local control after resection and reconstruction of proximal humerus tumors in children. Although union times are approximately 2 years and some patients underwent augmentation with other grafts, it eventually provides a solid, painless, biologic, and stable reconstruction and creates a mobile acromioclavicular joint and generally good function. Nonunion of the proximal junction is the main complication of this technique. We cannot directly compare this technique with other reconstruction options, and longer followup is needed, but this may be a useful reconstruction option to consider in select pediatric patients with sarcomas of the proximal humerus. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

Background Joint-preserving surgery is performed in select patients with bone sarcomas of extremities and allows patients to retain the native joint with better joint function. However, recurrences may relate to achieving adequate margins and there is frequently little room for error in tumors close to the joint surface. Further, the tumor margin on preoperative CT and/or MR images is difficult to transpose to the actual extent of tumor in the bone in the operating room. Questions/purposes We therefore determined whether joint-preserving tumor surgery could be performed accurately under image-guided computer navigation and determined local recurrences, function, and complications. Methods We retrospectively studied eight patients with bone sarcoma of extremities treated surgically by navigation with fused CT-MR images. We assessed the accuracy of resection in six patients by comparing the cross sections at the resection plane with complementary prosthesis templates. Mean age was 17 years (range, 6–46 years). Minimum followup was 25 months (mean, 41 months; range, 25–60 months). Results The achieved resection was accurate, with a difference of 2 mm or less in any dimension compared to that planned in patients with custom prostheses. We noted no local recurrence at latest followup. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 29 (range, 28–30). There were no complications related to navigation planning and procedures. There was no failure of fixation at the remaining epiphysis. Conclusions In selected patients, the computer-assisted approach facilitates precise planning and execution of joint-preserving tumor resection and reconstruction. Further followup assessment in a larger study population is required in these patients. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.