Minimally invasive management of pathologic fractures of the pelvis and sacrum: Tumor ablation and fracture stabilization

Abstract Background Pathologic fractures of the pelvis/sacrum due to metastatic bone disease (MBD) cause pain and dysfunction due to mechanical instability of the pelvic ring. This study presents our multi‐institutional experience with percutaneous stabilization of pathologic fractures and osteolytic lesions from MBD throughout the pelvic ring. Methods The records of patients undergoing this procedure from 2018 to 2022 were reviewed retrospectively from two institutions. Surgical data and functional outcomes were recorded. Results Fifty‐six patients underwent percutaneous stabilization, with a median operative duration of 119 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 92.8, 167) and median estimated blood loss of 50 mL (IQR: 20, 100). The median length of stay was 3 days (IQR: 1, 6), and 69.6% ( n = 39) of patients were discharged home. Early complications included one partial lumbosacral plexus injury, three acute kidney injuries, and one case of intra‐articular cement extravasation. Late complications included two infections and one revision stabilization procedure for hardware failure. Mean Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores improved from 3.02 (SD 0.8) preoperatively to 1.86 (SD 1.1) postoperatively ( p < 0.001). Ambulatory status also improved ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Percutaneous stabilization of pathologic fractures and osteolytic defects of the pelvis and sacrum is a procedure that improves patient function, ambulatory status and is associated with a limited complication profile.