Prophylactic surgical treatment using CT-based rigidity analysis vs. after the fact fracture treatment of pathologic femoral lesions

Abstract

Background Accurate comparison of prophylactic surgical treatment (PST) to after fracture treatment (AF) of patients with femoral metastatic disease requires more accurately identifying patients for impending fracture, such as with CT-based structural rigidity analysis (CTRA). This study compares a more accurately defined PST group (of impending fractures defined by CTRA) to AF for metastatic femoral disease. Methods PST patients were enrolled and treated by the PI in a longitudinal multicenter study of impending pathologic fractures evaluated for accuracy by CTRA. The AF patients were also treated by the senior author and were identified by retrospective chart review. Fifty-five patients were treated surgically for metastatic femoral lesions and were divided into three groups for the purpose of this study: Group I (AF), Group II (PST-high), and Group III (PST-low). Demographic information, comorbidities, and clinical variables of interest were collected by retrospective chart review; cost data was collected by collaboration with our hospital financial personnel (office of the Chief Financial Officer). Results Survival showed statistically significant differences favoring Group II. Transfusions in Group I were nearly twice those of Groups II and III, but there was no statistically significant (NS) difference between groups. Estimated blood loss (EBL) was generally with NS difference. Similarly, there were NS differences in LOS between groups. Discharge disposition showed statistically significant differences between groups (P=0.012, global). Discharge to home was highest in Group II (76%) and lowest in Group I (27%). Discharge to rehab was lowest in Group II (24%) and highest in Group I (47%). There were no discharges to hospice or morgue in Group II, while both occurred in Group I. Mean direct and total costs were highest in Group I ($18,837 and $31,997, respectively) and lowest in Group II ($16,094 and $27,357) but the differences were NS. Conclusions This study shows benefits of PST over AF in a group of PST patients more accurately defined to have impending pathologic fractures by CTRA definition.