Low risk of cardiac events during intramedullary instrumentation of lung cancer metastases.
BACKGROUND
Instrumentation, particularly reaming, of the long bones carries the risk of embolic phenomenon. Emboli may result in pulmonary injury, which is usually manifested by desaturation. This pulmonary injury may be particularly relevant if there is diminished pulmonary reserve due to pre-existing lung disease such as lung carcinoma. In extreme cases, this can result in cardiac arrest intraoperatively.


METHODS
We reviewed 34 consecutive operations that involved instrumentation of long bones for metastases of lung carcinoma.


RESULTS
Desaturation developed during 1 procedure, and there was hypotension in 5 patients. In addition, cardiac arrest occurred intraoperatively in 1 patient, which was the only fatality.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that while emboli during femoral instrumentation may be common, significant clinical manifestations of this phenomenon are uncommon.
Clayer
Mark T
MT
South Australian Musculo-skeletal Tumour Unit, Adelaide, Australia. markclayer@primusonline.com.au
Tang
Xiaodong
X
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D002484:Cementation; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors