[Efficacy of operative treatment for pathological fractures in bone metastases in relation to length and comfort of survival].

The paper presents a retrospective evaluation of 47 patients with bone metastases treated surgically during the last 10 years at our ward. The mean age of the patients was 62.5 years. There were 31 females (mean age: 62.8 years) and 16 males (mean age: 62.3 years). In 37 cases (78.8%) it as possible to establish the primary localization of the tumour: breast carcinoma--16 cases, ovary cancer 5 cases, lung cancer--5 cases, prostate cancer--5 cases, kidney cancer--2 cases, stomach cancer--1 case, vagina cancer--1 case, hepatocarcinoma--1 cases and plasmocytoma--1 cases. In 10 cases (21.1%) we were unable to establish the primary focus of the tumour. The localization of the metastases was as follows: femur--32 cases, humerus--6 cases, tibia--3 cases, lumbar spine--1 case. Patients treated very briefly after qualification for surgery, in some cases during emergency service. In 2 cases of metastases to the tibia amputations at the femur were performed. The remaining patients were treated by local excisions of the metastatic tumours, followed by: in 33 cases internal osteosynthesis and bone cement application; in 7 cases osteosynthesis, in 4 cases hip arthroplasties and posterior spine instrumentation in 1 case. In 6.4% we had poor results because of the death of 3 patients. The mean follow-up was three months. In 93.6% we had good and very good results--no pain, good function and independence during daily activities. Mean survival time was 13.5 month (range 5-28 months).