Functional results of various reconstruction techniques in primary malignant bone tumors

Introduction: The aim of the study was to report the clinical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing limb salvage with various reconstruction techniques in primary malignant bone tumor.

Materials and methods: This study was performed between 2011 and 2018 on 52 patients with primary malignant bone tumors admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest. All the patients underwent surgical treatment (resection-reconstruction technique) followed by oncologic therapy. The mean follow-up was 3 years and 8 months and the minimum follow-up was 12 months.

Results: The best results were obtained in patients in whom resection of the tumor followed by reconstruction was possible, without affecting the adjacent joint through arthrodesis or arthroplasty. These patients had an average MSTS score of 75.2%. The patients who underwent reconstruction procedures by endoprosthesis also had good results with an average MSTS score of 72.3%, while patients with arthrodesis obtained rather modest results – the average MSTS score being 67.3%. When taking into consideration the location of tumors, the best MSTS scores were obtained in patients with tumors of the distal radius – 80%, followed by femoral and humeral diaphysis – 75.6%, distal femur – 75.2%, proximal femur – 73.3%, proximal humerus – 72.3%, tibial diaphysis – 72.2%, distal tibia – 70% and proximal tibia 68.7%.

Conclusions: The orthopedist must judiciously chose the surgical technique, taking into consideration the anatomical particularities and the needs of the patient. Given the functional results and the emotional acceptability, reconstruction with tumor prosthesis represents the first option.