We evaluate the outcome (Functional, Oncological, and complications) after resection of pelvic sarcoma and reconstruction with the saddle prosthesis. Twenty-seven patients with a mean follow up of forty-five months. Fourteen patients were free of disease, eleven patients were deceased, and two patients were alive with disease. MSTS 93 was 51 %, MSTS 87 was15%, and TESS was 64 %. Infection occurred in ten, fracture in six, and dislocation in six patients. Vertical migration stabilized after two years. Five patients were retired, five had full-time employment, six were disabled, and eleven were deceased. Reconstruction with saddle prosthesis following resection for pelvic sarcoma is associated with significant morbidity.

Treatment of pelvic sarcoma is difficult. Of many techniques described for reconstruction of the pelvis following tumor resection, limited data exists to compare functional results.

To evaluate the outcome after resection of pelvic sarcoma and reconstruction with the saddle prosthesis.

This retrospective study includes twenty-seven patients who underwent saddle prosthetic reconstruction for pelvic sarcoma. Functional outcome was assessed with MSTS 1987 & 1993 and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Oncological outcome parameters and complications were recorded.

We reviewed twenty-seven patients with a mean follow up of forty-five months. Seven (26%) patients underwent type II (periacetabular) pelvic resection, twenty had type II & III (periacetabular and pubis). Eleven patients received chemotherapy. None received radiation. Fourteen patients were free of disease, eleven patients were deceased, and two patients were alive with disease. The survival rate was 60%, 22% had local recurrence, and 22% had metastasis. Functional evaluation was completed in seventeen patients and the mean for MSTS 93 was 50.8 %, the MSTS 87 was15.3%, and the TESS was 64.4 %.

Infection occurred in ten cases, and there were five nerve palsies. Heterotopic ossification occurred in ten, fracture in six, and dislocation in six patients. Limb shortening was initially progressive but stabilized after two years and ultimately ranged between one and six centimeters. Five patients were retired, five had full-time employment, six were disabled, and eleven were deceased.

Reconstruction with saddle prosthesis following resection for pelvic sarcoma is associated with significant morbidity. However the functional results appear to confer an advantage when compared to the significant disability following hemipelvectomy