Orthopedic Surgical Treatment and Perioperative Complications in Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease: Analysis of a Series (2009-2018).

backgroundMore than 90% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) develop lytic bone lesions that can be surgically treated for symptomatic relief and functional improvement.

methodsThis was a retrospective observational analytic study conducted between 2009 and 2018, including 58 patients with MM bone disease who underwent 77 orthopedic surgical procedures and were co-managed by internal medicine. Analysis of data related to MM bone disease, different modalities of surgical treatment, perioperative complications, and survival was performed.

resultsMedian age was 72 years (66.5-77 years) and 56.9% of patients were males; 54.43% of injuries were located in the spine, 27.85% in the pelvis or lower limbs, 15.19% in the upper limbs, and 75.32% of patients had pathologic fractures. In 29.31% of the cases, the bone lesion was the debut of MM. Surgical procedures performed were mainly kyphoplasty (48.05%) and intramedullary nailing (29.87%). The overall complication rate following surgery was 74.03%. Only 20.78% of cases had a surgical complication. Among medical complications, we registered 28.57% transfusion requirements, 25.97% acute renal failures, 24.68% developed an infection, and 10.39% developed hypercalcemia. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 6.13 years and 37.93% suffered a new fracture. The median overall survival time for patients after surgery was 32.9 months (11.6-49). The estimated overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery was 81.17%, 57%, and 34.11%, respectively.

conclusionsThe orthopedic surgical treatment of MM bone disease aims to improve symptomatology and patient quality of life; however, these patients have a high risk of perioperative complications and considerable early mortality, making multidisciplinary management with medical specialties essential.