Outcome after Reconstruction of the Proximal Tibia--Complications and Competing Risk Analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The proximal tibia (pT) is a common site for bone tumors. Improvements in imaging, chemotherapy and surgical technique made limb salvage surgery the treatment of choice. Yet, reconstructions of the pT have been associated with less favorable outcome compared to other parts of the extremities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with a modular endoprosthetic reconstruction of the pT.


METHODS
Eighty-one consecutive patients with an average age of 29 years underwent endoprosthetic reconstruction of the pT. Postoperative complications were categorized according to the ISOLS classification, and revision-free survival until first complication (any Type 1-5), soft tissue failure (Type 1), aseptic loosening (Type 2), structural failure (Type 3), infection (Type 4), and local tumor progression (Type 5) was estimated by using a Fine-Gray model for competing risk analyses for univariate and multivariable regression with Firth's bias correction.


RESULTS
A total of 45 patients (56%) had at least one complication. Cumulative incidence for complication Types 1 to 5 at 5 years with death and amputation as competing events revealed a risk of 41% for the first complication, 14% for Type 1, 16% for Type 2, 11% for Type 3, 17% for Type 4, and 1% for Type 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite inclusion of amputation and death as strong competing events, pT replacements are still associated with a high risk of postoperative failures. The results suggest that infection and soft tissue failures (Type 1 and 5) seem to depend from each other. Sufficient soft tissue reconstruction and closure allow better function and reduce the risk of infection as the most prominent complication. The use of a rotating hinge design has significantly reduced structural failures over time.
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Stephan E
SE
Puchner
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Paul
P
Kutscha-Lissberg
Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems-Section for Clinical Biometrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Alexandra
A
Kaider
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Joannis
J
Panotopoulos
Rheumatologist in private practice, Wels, Austria.
Rudolf
R
Puchner
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Christoph
C
Böhler
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Gerhard
G
Hobusch
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Reinhard
R
Windhager
Department of Orthopedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Philipp T
PT
Funovics
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult