Total Humeral Replacement with Biarticular Prosthesis after Chondrosarcoma Wide Excision Functional Aspects of Limb Preservation

Abstract

The humerus is commonly affected by primary malignant bone tumors that may require wide surgical “en bloc” excision, when staging is negative [1,2]. When major nerves and vessels are not involved, limb salvage surgery becomes the mainstay treatment [3,4]. Total humerus replacement (THR), with shoulder and elbow arthroplasty, is a rarely performed surgery, but is the only reconstructive solution, providing partial aesthetic and functional preservation, when total humerus resection is required ¬[5-8]. The literature regarding functional and oncological outcomes for this procedure is limited, but published results are overall acceptable [6,9,10]. Compared to ablative surgery, limb preservation provides better functional outcomes with no difference in overall patient survival [11,12].