Aspirin and compression devices versus low-molecular-weight heparin and PCD for VTE prophylaxis in orthopedic oncology patients.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are possible sources of morbidity and mortality in patients with musculoskeletal neoplasms (MSN). OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of aspirin (ASA) and pneumatic compression devices (PCD) to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and PCD in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures for MSN of the pelvis or lower extremity. METHODS: Of 348 patients who met the study criteria, 195 were treated with ASA/PCD and 153 with LMWH/PCD. There were 18 DVT including 8 in ASA/PCD group and 10 in LMWH/PCD group. There were four PEs, all in the LMWH/PCD group. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in DVT rate between ASA/PCD and LMWH/PCD when used for prophylaxis against thromboembolic complications. Our analysis shows that procedures of the thigh, soft tissue resections, and malignant disease were more often managed with ASA/PCD while joint arthroplasty, procedures of the hip/pelvis, and metastatic disease were more often managed with LMWH/PCD. CONCLUSION: DVT prophylaxis in orthopedic oncology remains a complex topic in which physicians must balance the risks of thromboembolic disease against the risks of post-operative complications.

Fine needle aspiration for clinical triage of extremity soft tissue masses.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid and low-morbid alternative to open biopsy or needle core biopsy for soft tissue masses. Numerous reports describe its use with metastatic or recurrent lesions, but FNAC is less accepted for primary lesions. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We wished (1) to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of FNAC for diagnosing malignancy; (2) to estimate the accuracy of subtyping and grading. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the diagnostic accuracy and clinical effectiveness of office-based FNAC performed by a trained pathologist on 213 females and 219 males (mean age, 51.8 years) who presented with a palpable soft tissue mass to one musculoskeletal oncology clinic between 2002 and 2008. RESULTS: The FNAC was reported as benign in 62.0%, indeterminate in 8.1%, and malignant in 29.9%. A second technique, such as needle core biopsy or open biopsy, was performed for 24.8% of lesions before a definitive treatment plan was rendered. Final tissue confirmation by open biopsy or resection was available for 52.2% of benign FNAC and 78.3% of malignant FNAC. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detecting malignancy with either histopathologic confirmation or clinical followup were 89.2%, 89.8%, 96.1%, and 98.1%. There were seven sampling and nine interpretation FNAC errors in determining the nature of the lesion. Subtyping and grading for malignant lesions were 77.2% and 95.2% accurate, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC is effective for initial triage and treatment selection at tertiary referral centers with close collaboration among the surgeon, pathologist, and radiologist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Predictors of local recurrence in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas: hydrogen peroxide as a local adjuvant.

Soft tissue sarcomas have a mortality rate of 40% to 60%, with local recurrence being a poor prognostic factor for overall survival. Three-percent nondiluted hydrogen peroxide is hypothesized to be an effective local adjuvant. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for local recurrence in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas and to determine whether using hydrogen peroxide as a local adjuvant reduced the risks of local recurrence and surgical-site infection. Retrospective data were collected for 106 patients surgically treated for high-grade soft tissue sarcomas between 2002 and 2010. The primary endpoint was local recurrence. Eighteen (16.98%) cases of local recurrence occurred. Predictors of local recurrence were margin status, estimated blood loss, and histology (ie, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor), with hazard ratios of 4.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-14.95), 1.19 (95% CI, 1.06-1.35), and 9.21 (95% CI, 2.11-40.16), respectively. Hydrogen peroxide yielded a statistically insignificant improvement in local recurrence, with a hazard ratio of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.27-2.48) and a reduced risk of surgical site infection, with a hazard ratio of 0.52 (95% CI, 0.15-1.81). Margin status, increased blood loss, and histologic subtype are associated with increased local recurrence risk. Using hydrogen peroxide improved local control and infection rates, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Internal and external hemipelvectomy or flail hip in patients with sarcomas: quality-of-life and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the quality-of-life of patients who have had an internal hemipelvectomy with and without (flail hip) prosthetic reconstruction and external hemipelvectomy. DESIGN: We reviewed the cases of 15 patients who had undergone either internal or external hemipelvectomy for tumor. Fifteen patients who were previously treated operatively with either a type II periacetabular internal (n = 5) or external (n = 10) hemipelvectomy were evaluated using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. There were 11 (73%) men and 4 (27%) women in the study, with a mean age at operation of 46.9 ± 18.0 yrs (range, 18-69 yrs). RESULTS: Follow-up was 30.6 ± 19.6 mos (range, 6-70 mos). Overall mean MSTS score was 45.2 (range, 6.7 to 83.3), and TESS score was 60.4 ± 16.1 (range, 31.8-88.0). The 36-item Short-Form Health Survey physical component score results were lower than the general population. TESS and MSTS were all positively correlated to physical component score. There were no significant influences of postsurgery time on MSTS, TESS, or physical component score. Age had a negative correlation with physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Quality-of-life and functional outcome were significantly reduced for patients with internal and external hemipelvectomies on the TESS, MSTS, and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey physical component scores.

Effectiveness of ultraporous ß-tricalcium phosphate (vitoss) as bone graft substitute for cavitary defects in benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors.

We retrospectively evaluated healing with ultraporous ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP [Vitoss; Orthovida, Malvern, Pennsylvania]) bone graft in patients who underwent surgical excision or curettage of benign bone lesions subsequently filled with bone void filler. Twentynine patients were treated with curettage and ultraporous ß-TCP morsels. Radiologic defect size at initial postoperative presentation and subsequent visits (minimum follow-up, 6 months) was evaluated. Results suggested that an ultraporous ß-TCP synthetic bone graft is effective in managing bone voids. The vast majority of patients who undergo curettage for benign bone lesions can expect to have complete or near complete healing of these defects within 6 months of their surgical procedure with use of ultraporous ß-TCP morsels.

A retrospective statistical analysis of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas.

Soft-tissue sarcomas have a mortality rate ranging from 40-60% for high-grade lesions. Prior identified risk factors for post-surgical mortality include tumor size, lesion histology, and margin status at resection. A better understanding of prognostic factors is needed to guide patient counseling and treatment. Data were collected from 129 patients surgically treated for high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas during 2002-2010. The primary endpoint was death related to high-grade soft tissue sarcoma. Thirteen variables were investigated: age, gender, race, tumor size, margin status, location, estimated blood loss, operative blood transfusions, pre-operative metastatic disease, pre-operative radiation, post-operative radiation, pre-operative chemotherapy, and post-operative chemotherapy. A Cox Survival Analysis model was created to determine the best predictors of survival time. Tumor size and the presence of pre-surgical metastasis were statistically significant predictors of overall survival. Patients with a tumor greater than 8 cm in any cross section had a 3.15 times greater chance of death. Presence of pre-surgical metastasis carried a 3.47 greater chance of death. The remaining variables did not predict patient outcomes in a statistically significant manner. The hazard ratios calculated add new data and can be used to more effectively guide patients in prognosis and treatment regimens.

Fracture risk with pressurized-spray cryosurgery.

Forty-two patients treated with curettage, burring, direct pressurized cryotherapy, and bone grafting or cementation were retrospectively reviewed. There were no pathologic fractures in this study group, compared with a 17% fracture rate in recent studies using the "direct pour" technique. Direct pressurized cryotherapy was used in 3 separate freezing cycles in each case. This approach may significantly reduce the risk for fracture compared with historical controls using the direct-pour technique.