Cementoplasty, like vertebroplasty, is a technique whereby Polymetylmethacrylate is placed into a bone lesion either percutaneouly or by surgery under image intensifier guidance. Although there have been few studies with regard to cementoplasty percutaneously, there is no series in the literature to support the open surgical technique as a palliative procedure. In our series we describe four patients (1male and 3 females, age range 63-83) with metastatic bone cancer who have benefited from an open surgical procedure. The four patients presented to our hospital between January 2004 and December 2006. They all had gradually worsening hip pain at the time of presentation and pelvic radiographs revealed osteolytic lesions in the acetabulum. A 5 centimetre longitudinal incision proximal to the greater trochanter was made and the malignant lesion identified using the image intensifier. The malignant tissue was curetted and sent for microscopy, culture, sensitivity and histopathology and the remaining void filled with bone cement (via a gun or by hand) under x-ray control. Radiographs were taken in all patients post-operatively and were referred for adjuvant radiotherapy. All patients had immediate relief of pain and were able to mobilise within 48 hours. Two patients died within 6 weeks post-operatively due to complications from their primary malignancy (lung). One patient died at three months due to unknown primary. One patient remained pain free and fully ambulatory at one and a half years post surgery (breast primary). This procedure can be recommended for patients with metastatic bone disease as it provides adequate pain control and improves the quality of life in this group of patients. These patients need a multi-disciplinary approach to their care, but as orthopaedic surgeons, we can make a significant impact to such patients and their families

Metastatic bone disease (MBD) is a significant contributor to diminished quality of life in cancer patients, often leading to pathologic fractures, hypercalcaemia, intractable bone pain, and reduced functional independence. Standard of care management for MBD patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery is multi-disciplinary, includes regular surgical follow-up, case by case assessment for use of bone protective medications, and post-operative radiation therapy to the operative site. The number of patients in southern Alberta receiving standard of care post-operative management is currently unclear. Our aim is to develop a database of all patients in southern Alberta undergoing orthopaedic surgery for MBD and to assess for deficiencies and opportunities to ensure standard of care for this complex patient population.

Patients were identified for database inclusion by a search query of the Alberta Cancer Registry of all patients with a diagnosis of metastatic cancer who underwent surgery for an impending or pathologic fracture in the Calgary, South and Central Alberta Zones. Demographic information, primary cancer history, previous local and systemic treatments, anatomical location of MBD event(s), surgical fixation techniques, and post-operative care details were collected. The rate of standard of care post-operative treatment was evaluated. A comparison of outcomes between tertiary urban centres and rural centres was also completed. Survival was calculated from time of first operation to date of death. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the impact of post-operative care variables on survival amongst patients surviving longer than one month.

We identified 402 patients who have undergone surgical treatment for MBD in southern Alberta from 2006-2018. Median age at time of surgery was 66.3 years and 52.7% of patients were female. Breast, lung, prostate, renal cell and multiple myeloma were the most common primary malignancies (n=328, 81.6%). Median post-operative survival was 6.8 months (95%CI: 5.7-8.3). 203 patients (52.5%) were treated with post-operative radiotherapy and 159 patients (50.8%) had post-operative surgical follow-up. Only 39 patients (11.3%) received bone protective agents in the peri-operative period. On multivariate survival analysis, post-operative surgical follow-up was associated with improved survival (p<0.001). Patients were treated at nine hospitals across southern Alberta with most patients treated in an urban center (65.9%). Post-operative survival was significantly longer amongst patients treated in an urban center (9.0 months, 95%CI: 6.9-12.3 versus 4.3 months, 95%CI: 3.4-5.6, p<0.001).

The burden of MBD is significant and increasing. With treatment occurring at multiple provincial sites, there is a need for standardized, primary disease-specific peri- and post-operative protocols to ensure quality and efficacious patient care. To provide evidence informed treatment recommendations, we have developed a database of all patients in southern Alberta undergoing orthopaedic surgery for MBD. Our results demonstrate that many patients were not treated according to post-operative standard of care recommendations. Notably, half of the included patients did not have documented surgical follow-up, post-operative radiation treatment was low and only 11% were actively treated with bone protective agents. This data justifies the need for established surgical MBD care pathways and provides reference data to benchmark prospective QA and QI outcomes in this patient population.

Aims

As the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic passes, the challenge shifts to safe resumption of routine medical services, including elective orthopaedic surgery. Protocols including pre-operative self-isolation, COVID-19 testing, and surgery at a non-COVID-19 site have been developed to minimize risk of transmission. Despite this, it is likely that many patients will want to delay surgery for fear of contracting COVID-19. The aim of this study is to identify the number of patients who still want to proceed with planned elective orthopaedic surgery in this current environment.