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Prophylactic radiotherapy against heterotopic ossification following internal fixation of acetabular fractures: a comparative estimate of risk.


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Authors

Burnet, NG 
Nasr, P 
Yip, G 
Scaife, JE 
House, T 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy (RT) is effective in preventing heterotopic ossification (HO) around acetabular fractures requiring surgical reconstruction. We audited outcomes and estimated risks from RT prophylaxis, and alternatives of indometacin or no prophylaxis. METHODS: 34 patients underwent reconstruction of acetabular fractures through a posterior approach, followed by a 8-Gy single fraction. The mean age was 44 years. The mean time from surgery to RT was 1.1 days. The major RT risk is radiation-induced fatal cancer. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) method was used to estimate risk, and compared with a method (Trott and Kemprad) specifically for estimating RT risk for benign disease. These were compared with risks associated with indometacin and no prophylaxis. RESULTS: 28 patients (82%) developed no HO; 6 developed Brooker Class I; and none developed Class II-IV HO. The ICRP method suggests a risk of fatal cancer in the range of 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10,000; the Trott and Kemprad method suggests 1 in 3000. For younger patients, this may rise to 1 in 2000; and for elderly patients, it may fall to 1 in 6000. The risk of death from gastric bleeding or perforation from indometacin is 1 in 180 to 1 in 900 in older patients. Without prophylaxis risk of death from reoperation to remove HO is 1 in 4000 to 1 in 30,000. CONCLUSION: These results are encouraging, consistent with much larger series and endorse our multidisciplinary management. Risk estimates can be used in discussion with patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The risk from RT prophylaxis is small, it is safer than indometacin and substantially overlaps with the range for no prophylaxis.

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Keywords

Acetabuloplasty, Acetabulum, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Female, Fracture Fixation, Internal, Fractures, Bone, Humans, Indomethacin, Male, Middle Aged, Ossification, Heterotopic, Postoperative Complications, Radiography, Reoperation, Risk Assessment, Young Adult

Journal Title

Br J Radiol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0007-1285
1748-880X

Volume Title

87

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
Cancer Research Uk (None)
NGB is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. JES is supported by Cancer Research UK through the Cambridge Cancer Centre.