Resection of ankle tumor lesion and reconstruction with the use of allograft.

Abstract

Reconstruction of the distal third of the tibia due to resection of a malignant tumor has some hindering factors, such as a thin subcutaneous layer, neurovascular bundles that cross compartments, prolonged operative duration, specific orthopedic material, and a trained multidisciplinary team. Allografting with material from tissue banks is part of this orthopaedic arsenal. Objective: To describe the protocol used at Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Jamil Haddad. Methods: Series of six cases subjected to resection with oncologic margins, allograft reconstruction, and use of a retrograde ankle nail as limbsalvage surgery. Three of the six patients were women, the lesions were on average 9.3 cm long, and the average operative duration was 3.25 hours. Results: The main short-term complication (≤ 30 days) was peroneal nerve palsy, while the main long-term complication (> 30 days) was surgical site infection (two cases). Consolidation of the two foci occurred in three patients, and two patients developed asymptomatic pseudoarthrosis of the proximal focus with consolidation of the distal focus. Conclusion: Despite the complications, the proposed surgery gives patients the chance to preserve their limb in the face of immediate radical surgery.