title: Inferior gluteal artery detection at the greater sciatic notch with a computer-assisted navigation system during pelvic and sacral tumor resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During pelvic and sacral tumor resection, important vessels, such as the inferior gluteal artery underneath the sciatic notch, are easily injured because of their invisibility. We employed a computer-assisted navigation system to preserve the inferior gluteal artery at the sciatic notch with visualization of the inferior gluteal artery at the sciatic notch, thus maintaining blood flow to the gluteus maximus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the results of seven patients (five men and two women) with a mean age of 64.8 years (58.4-78.8) in whom computer-assisted navigation surgery had been carried out for pelvic and sacral tumor resections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT) confirmed the preservation of the inferior gluteal artery in all cases. At a mean follow-up of 21.3 months (3-39), the total postoperative complication rate was 25% (n = 2), including hematoma (n = 1) and wound necrosis (n = 1). There were no cases of deep infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new application of computer-assisted navigation to pelvic and sacral tumor resection can contribute to reducing postoperative complications related to insufficient flap perfusion.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center , Jichi Medical University , Saitama , Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center , Jichi Medical University , Saitama , Japan.
authors.forename: Shotaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center , Jichi Medical University , Saitama , Japan.
authors.forename: Akinori
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center , Jichi Medical University , Saitama , Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saita
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002081:Buttocks / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Computer-assisted navigation; inferior gluteal artery detection; orthopedic surgery; pelvic tumor resection; postoperative complication