Survival at Stake: Surgical Decision-Making in Metastatic Femoral

Abstract

Pathological femoral fractures resulting from primary or metastatic tumors represent a complex clinical challenge for orthopedic surgeons, often requiring individualized treatment strategies. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of different surgical approaches used in the management of pathological femoral fractures secondary to metastatic disease. A total of 46 patients (52 femoral fractures) who underwent surgical treatment between 2020 and 2023 were included in the study. Data collected encompassed demographic characteristics, tumor histology, surgical techniques employed, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis was conducted using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, depending on data distribution. Of the patients included, 51% underwent tumor resection followed by endoprosthetic reconstruction, 40% were treated with intramedullary nailing, and 9.4% underwent plate osteosynthesis. The highest postoperative mortality rate was observed among patients with lung cancer metastases. Blood transfusions were necessary in 66% of cases. The overall mean survival time following surgery was 4.5 months, with significant variation according to tumor type and metastatic burden. The findings of this study underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the surgical management of pathological femoral fractures caused by metastatic tumors. Surgical interventions such as intramedullary nailing, plate fixation, and endoprosthetic reconstruction can effectively restore mechanical stability and contribute to improved patient quality of life. Selection of the optimal surgical technique should be guided by tumor histopathology, anatomical location and extent of bone involvement, number of metastatic lesions, and overall patient prognosis. Timely and appropriate surgical intervention remains critical to minimizing complications and enhancing survival outcomes in this patient population.