Anaesthesia for hemipelvectomy--a series of 49 cases.

We undertook an audit of 49 consecutive hemipelvectomies performed for primary or secondary malignancy. Combined epidural and general anaesthesia was used in 41 patients. The operations were long (range 90 to 600 minutes). The median crystalloid requirement was 8500 ml (range 1000 to 42000 ml) and a median of seven units of packed red blood cells were transfused (range 0 to 44 units). All measures of coagulation were normalised by the first postoperative day using fresh frozen plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. Warmed blood was administered at high flow rates using a custom designed system consisting of a roller pump and high capacity fluid warmer Thirty-five patients were managed postoperatively in the intensive care unit, of whom 31 remained intubated for postoperative ventilation. In 41 patients, postoperative pain management was by a continuous epidural infusion of local anaesthetic and opioid. The average duration of infusion was 4.25 days (range 3 to 6 days). One patient died during surgery from complications relating to massive blood loss, 14 had wound infections and one had an acute brain syndrome. There was significant utilisation of resources involving anaesthesia, surgery, intensive care and blood transfusion services. Anaesthesia for hemipelvectomy is challenging because of the extensive tissue trauma involved, the potential for massive blood loss and the potential for severe postoperative pain. The perioperative management necessitates care from a well coordinated, directed and focused healthcare team.