Rotationplasty in the Elderly
Author Information
Author(s): Jendrik Hardes, Gerhard Ulrich Exner, Dieter Rosenbaum, Arne Streitbuerger, Carsten Gebert, Georg Gosheger, Helmut Ahrens
Primary Institution: Westfälische Wilhelms University Münster
Hypothesis
Can rotationplasty be effectively performed in patients over 60 years old?
Conclusion
Rotationplasty is a viable alternative to above-knee amputation in older patients, but functional results may be poorer compared to younger patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Two out of three patients needed a cane for walking distances over 200 meters.
- No secondary amputation was necessary.
- Electromyography showed good adaptation of the muscles to the altered function.
Takeaway
Rotationplasty is a surgery that helps older people with leg tumors keep their leg instead of getting it amputated, but they might not walk as well as younger people after the surgery.
Methodology
Three patients over 60 years old underwent A1-rotationplasty due to sarcomas, and their complications and functional results were recorded.
Limitations
Only one patient had a long-term follow-up, and the follow-up for the other two patients was too short to evaluate functional and radiological results.
Participant Demographics
Three patients aged 62 to 70, with no significant comorbidities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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