Extensive peri acetabular osteolysis caused by malignant disease process is a major surgical challenge as conventional hip arthroplasty is not adequate. We describe a modified use of the Harrington procedure for acetabular insufficiency secondary to metastatic disease in twelve patients. The procedures include application of multiple threaded pins to bridge the acetabular columns, anti protrusio cage and cemented acetabular cup. Eleven patients were able to walk pain free and achieved a mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society Functional Score of 80 (range, 68 to 86).
orthopaedic

The Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) score has been developed to identify women at risk of osteoporosis. It can be used as a screening tool for patients at risk who would benefit from bone mineral density measurement and treatment. It was developed based on data from eight countries including Malaysia. However, most subjects were of Chinese (59%). This study evaluated the performance of OSTA among 152 post-menopausal Malay women. OSTA score calculation and DEXA scan were performed. Our results showed that the OSTA score is a good predictor of patients at risk of osteoporosis based on BMD measurements at the proximal femur. Instrument sensitivity was 87.5%, specificity was 95.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 0.538, negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.993, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.895. We conclude that use of the OSTA score in postmenopausal Malay women is effective and has adequate sensitivity and specificity.

Traumatic hemipelvectomy is an uncommon and life threatening injury. We report a case of a 16-year-old boy involved in a traffic accident who presented with an almost circumferential pelvic wound with wide diastasis of the right sacroiliac joint and symphysis pubis. The injury was associated with complete avulsion of external and internal iliac vessels as well as the femoral and sciatic nerves. He also had ipsilateral open comminuted fractures of the femur and tibia. Emergency debridement and completion of amputation with preservation of the posterior gluteal flap and primary anastomosis of the inferior gluteal vessels to the internal iliac artery stump were performed. A free fillet flap was used to close the massive exposed area.