Breakthrough Surgical Technique: Percutaneous Pelvic Stabilization

Tony Brown MD, interventional radiologist at RIA Endovascular, along with Daniel M Lerman, MD, orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Limb Preservation at P/SL, are using the latest technology in 3D reconstruction imaging to perform percutaneous tumor ablation and skeletal fixation for pathologic fractures of the pelvis.

What does that mean?

Using a minimally invasive approach, we are able to perform (1) tumor ablation (shrinking the tumor with heat), (2) orthopedic screw stabilization and (3) bone cement augmentation to areas of osteolysis.

Often in combination with radiation therapy, this percutaneous approach allows us to impart mechanical stability to areas of diseased, irradiated bone providing pain relief and improved function for a population who traditionally had few palliative options.

“This research is critical to prove that this minimally invasive technique results in great outcomes for patients,” says Dr. Tony Brown. “When we prove that patients do better and recover faster with this more advanced but minimally invasive surgery, it is likely that more centers around the country will adopt these techniques and more patients will benefit.”

40 yr old male with left side pathologic fracture due to multiple myeloma. Discharged day two and was free of all ambulatory devices at two weeks. Four month post-surgery physical function improving as expected.