Induced-Membrane Technique for Lower Limb Reconstruction after Malignant Bone Tumour Resection in Paediatric Patients: Complication and Re-Operation Rates

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the complication and re-operation rates, evaluate the risk of non-union, and describe the functional outcomes at last follow-up in children and adolescents after lower-limb malignant tumour resection and reconstruction using the induced-membrane technique.Hypothesis: Weight-bearing resumption 6 weeks after the second stage of the induced-membrane procedure promotes bone healing.Material and Methods: The study included 13 patients (9 with osteosarcoma, 3 with Ewing’s sarcomas, and 1 with alveolar sarcoma) managed between 2000 and 2020 by oncological femoral or tibial resection followed, at a distance from adjuvant chemotherapy, by reconstruction using the induced-membrane technique. Non-union was the primary outcome measure and the MusculoSkeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) lower-limb functional score was the secondary outcome measure. Mean follow-up was 6.1 years (range, 2.0–12.7). At last follow-up, mean age was 18.1 years (range, 11.0–26.0) and the mean MSTS score was 66.6% (37.0%–93.0%).Results: After the second reconstruction stage, 8 complications developed in 6 patients (46%). Either a complication or limb-length inequality required 12 re-operations in 8 patients (61.5%). Non-union occurred after reconstruction in 5 (38.5 %) patients. Early resumption of 50% weight-bearing 6 weeks after reconstruction was associated with bone healing (p=0.02).Conclusion: The non-union rate was 38.5%. Partial, 50% weight-bearing with two elbow crutches and an orthosis, if allowed by construct stability, may promote bone healing.Level of evidence: IV