Proximal humerus reconstruction after tumour resection: biological versus endoprosthetic reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome, complications and survival of the three most commonly used surgical reconstructions of the proximal humerus after transarticular tumour resection. Between 1985 and 2005, 38 consecutive proximal humeral reconstructions using allograft-prosthesis composite (n = 10), osteoarticular allograft (n = 13) or a modular tumour prosthesis (n = 14) were performed in our clinic. The mean follow-up was ten years (1–25). Of these, 27 were disease free at latest follow-up (mean 16.8 years) and ten had died of disease. The endoprosthetic group presented the smallest complication rate of 21% (n = 1), compared to 40% (n = 4) in the allograft-prosthesis composite and 62% (n = 8) in the osteoarticular allograft group. Only one revision was performed in the endoprosthetic group, in a case of shoulder instability. Infection after revision (n = 3), pseudoarthrosis (n = 2), fracture of the allograft (n = 3) and shoulder instability (n = 4) were the major complications of allograft use in general. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly better implant survival for the endoprosthetic group (log-rank p = 0.002). At final follow-up the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scores were an average of 72% for the allograft-prosthetic composite (n = 7, median follow-up 17 years), 76% for the osteoarticular allograft (n = 3, 19 years) and 77% for the endoprosthetic reconstruction (n = 10, 5 years) groups. An endoprosthetic reconstruction after transarticular proximal humeral resection resulted in the lowest complication rate, highest implant survival and comparable functional results when compared to allograft-prosthesis composite and osteoarticular allograft use. We believe that the surgical approach that best preserves the abductor mechanism and provides sufficient surgical exposure for tumour resection contributed to better functional results and glenohumeral stability in the endoprosthetic group

Limb sparing surgery for bone tumours of the shoulder girdle: the oncological and functional results

It is a great challenge to spare the upper limb with a malignant or invasive benign bone tumour of the shoulder girdle. We retrospectively analysed 35 patients with bone tumours of the shoulder girdle treated with various limb salvage procedures. The tumours included 25 primary malignancies, three metastases and seven giant cell tumours which involved the proximal humerus in 21 patients, scapula in 12 and clavicle in two. The reconstruction procedures included eight prosthetic replacements, four devitalised tumorous bone grafts, three osteoarticular allografts, two autogenous fibular grafts, one intramedullary cemented nail, three Tikhoff-Linberg procedures, two replantation of shortened arms, and four humeral head suspensions. Six partial scapulectomies and two lateral clavicectomies needed no bone reconstruction. With an average follow-up of 71 months, local recurrences occurred in four cases and systemic metastases in six. Nine patients died and 23 remained disease free. The five year Kaplan-Meier survival rate of 28 patients with malignancies was 69.5%. The average Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) functional score was 77% (range 40–100%) in all patients