A Prospective Study of the IlluminOss Photodynamic Nail System for Pelvic Stabilization: Treatment of Impending and Actual Fractures from Metastatic Bone Disease, Multiple Myeloma, and Primary Bone Lymphoma.

Background: The stabilization of metastatic lesions in the periacetabular region can be successfully performed using percutaneous techniques. Photodynamic nails (PDNs) are among the available tools for stabilization. Data on postoperative complications and functional outcomes are, however, scarce.

Methods: Patients undergoing percutaneous stabilization using PDNs (IlluminOss Medical) for impending or actual minimally displaced pathological fractures of the pelvis from metastatic bone disease, multiple myeloma, or primary bone lymphoma were enrolled prospectively. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at the 2-day, 2-week, 6-week, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year time points. Functional outcomes assessed included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function, PROMIS Pain Interference, Combined Pain and Ambulatory Function (CPAF), EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores. Pain was assessed using a VAS.

Results: A total of 30 patients treated with PDNs were included. The median VAS pain score dropped from 60 points preoperatively to 30 at 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.004). The median CPAF score improved from 6 preoperatively to 7 postoperatively at the 6-week mark. The median EQ-VAS score showed significant improvement at 6 weeks (70 versus 50; p = 0.006). The median 2-week PROMIS Pain Interference score was significantly lower than preoperatively (64.1 versus 66.9; p = 0.03). An improvement in the median PROMIS Physical Function score was seen at 6 weeks following surgery compared with preoperatively (37 versus 30.1; p = 0.001). A significant improvement in the MSTS score was seen as soon as 2 days after surgery (77% versus 40%; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Among patients with pelvic bone metastases, multiple myeloma, or primary bone lymphoma, we found that treatment using PDNs resulted in immediate return to ambulation and rapid functional outcome improvement, with low complication rates. In this population, this technique represents a safe alternative to open surgery.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.