Pelvic distraction to improve exposure in radical surgery for pelvic tumours in children

We describe one patient who had pubic osteotomy and three who had symphysiotomy as an aid to radical tumour resections, over the last 7 years. In each it was possible to distract the pelvis so improving access to the tumour. All four patients had pelvic rhabdomyosarcomata, three primarily in the prostate and lower bladder and one was a large tumour filling the pelvis, probably of bladder origin. No immediate or long-term complications of the procedure occurred, and in the two patients who died (2.5 years and 1 year post-surgery) or in the two survivors.