Megaprosthetic Implants the Next Generation (MING)

BACKGROUND The current surgical treatment of bone cancer patients requires usage of massive endoprosthetic bone implants. The incidence of aseptic loosening is a major cause of prosthesis failure in these patients. Exploring ways to reduce such failures would allow extending longevity of massive implants in a relatively young population.

Current published literature stipulates that osteointegration could improve longevity of massive implants. Evidence suggests that usage of osteointegrated hydroxyapatite (HA) coated collar would reduce the incidence of aseptic loosening around the cemented intramedullary stem in distal femoral bone prosthesis.

Our study aims to compare radiological outcome in 2 groups:

• A porous collar for either distal or proximal femoral replacements
• A porous collar with hydroxyapatite (HA) for either distal or proximal femoral replacements The porous collar will be manufactured by Adler Ortho using additive layer manufacturing technology.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The study will review the use of massive segmental replacements in the femur, which have a porous collar with and without HA.

Primary objectives:

The primary objective of the study will be to assess radiological outcome by assessing bony growth into the collar.

Secondary objectives The secondary objective will focus on assessing patient reported outcome measures (VAS pain score and other PROMS)

STUDY DESIGN

Patients will be identified in the outpatient setting as suitable for entry into the trial based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria as set out below.

Patients will be randomised into one of the two groups of the study, due to the nature of intervention this will be a single blind study.

Patients will undergo plain radiographs immediately post-operatively, at 6 months post-operatively, 12 months post-operatively and 24 months post-operatively. Standard protocol radiographs of the relevant limb will be taken in the antero-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) planes (x2 AP and x2 laterals to cover the prosthesis).

At 12 months and 24 months post-operatively patients will receive a CT scan (cover whole prosthesis, extended CT - knee, pelvis), which will be used to image bone growth within the porous collars.

For plain radiographs a scoring system for extra-cortical bone formation will be made according to Coathup et al, 2013. This will be quantified radiologically in four zones (medial and lateral aspects on AP radiographs; anterior and posterior aspects on ML radiographs). Extracortical bone separated from the implant by a clear radiolucent line is not considered in grown and will be scored 0. A score of 1 will represent extracortical bone (>5mm think and >1mm long) in contact with the implant surface in any of the four previously described zones. The maximum score will be 4, denoting extracortical bone growth in all four zones.

Patients identified and consented in clinic for entry into study. Randomisation prior to surgical date. Baseline X-ray and CT done pre-operatively as per current pre-operative guidelines.

Pre-operative bloods and joint aspiration done to definitively rule out infection in revision patients Pre-operative VAS pain score on admission

Joint replacement done - clarify antibiotic prophylaxis with surgeons - induction + extended post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis

Post-operative Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) to assess physical functioning for all patients. TESS repeated at 6, 12 and 24 months to assess progress post-operatively - correlating with radiographical findings.

Surgery related data including theatre time, intra-operative blood loss and intra- and post-operative complications will be recorded for all patients.

Immediate post-operative, 6, 12 and 24 monthly X-rays (x2 AP and x2 laterals to cover the prosthesis); 12 and 24 monthly CT (cover whole prosthesis, extended CT - knee, pelvis) X-rays and CT reported by scores calculated as previously described.