Survivorship and radiographic analysis of knee osteoarticular allografts

An evaluation of long-term survival and radiographic deterioration of 118 knee osteoarticular allografts in 114 patients was performed. Radiographic analysis was done according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society grading system. A failure was defined as when the allograft was removed during a revision procedure or amputation. Ten patients were lost to followup during the first 2 years after surgery. Eighteen patients without allograft failures died of complications related to the tumor. Twenty-six allografts failed because of infection (13 allografts), local recurrence (eight allografts), massive resorptions (three allografts) and fractures (two allografts). Sixty-four allografts still were in place at a mean of 98 months (range, 36-360 months) after implantation. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival rate for the knee osteoarticular allografts was 73% and the limb preservation rate was 93%. The mean radiographic score was 83%. Sixty-four percent of the allografts showed no radiologic changes or minor articular deterioration. Fourteen percent had narrowing of the joint space of more than 2 mm, and 22% had some form of subchondral bone collapse. Five patients required joint resurfacing to preserve the original allograft. Most of the allograft failures occurred during the first 4 years, and the allograft survival rate for the current series remained unchanged after 5 years.     

同种异体骨关节移植修复长段骨关节缺损

目的 评价同种异体骨关节移植修复长段骨关节缺损后的临床效果。方法 １９９１年９月￣１９９７年１１月对侵袭性或恶性骨肿瘤瘤段切除后长段骨关节或骨干缺损３６例,创伤性长段骨缺损２例,采用低温冷冻或冻干同种异体骨关节或骨干移植物修复。结果 术后早期３８例均未发生明显的免疫排异反应。随访１年５个月￣７年５个月,平均４．２年,存活３１例,优良率达７４．１９％。结论 低温冷冻或冻干的同种异体骨或骨关节移植物抗     

Osteoarticular allograft in surgery for high-grade malignant tumours of bone

We assessed the results of 17 limb-salvage procedures using osteoarticular allografts after wide resection of high-grade malignant bone tumours. All patients received chemotherapy. At the five-year follow-up, three patients had died from metastases. The allografts survived for five years in only seven patients all of whom had good function, ranging from 73% to 90% of normal. The allografts were removed because of fracture in seven patients and infection in one, and in all of these a second limb-salvage procedure was undertaken. With such a low rate of survival of osteoarticular allografts, we believe that their use in the management of high-grade malignant bone tumours should, at best, be considered a temporary solution.     

Revision osteoarticular allograft transplantation in weight-bearing joints. A clinical review

The early results of revision osteoarticular allografts in weight-bearing joints are reported. Sixteen consecutive patients underwent surgery over a six-year period between 1982 and 1988. At the time of review eight patients (50%) had surviving second allografts with an average follow-up time of 48 months (range 12 to 87). Five patients were graded excellent according to the Mankin scale, one good and two fair. Eight patients (50%) required further surgery, but only two patients came to amputation.     

Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee

BACKGROUND: In the management of a resected distal femoral or proximal tibial condyle as the result of tumor or trauma, a unicondylar osteoarticular allograft is currently the only reconstructive option that avoids the sacrifice of the unaffected condyle. The purposes of this study were to perform a survival analysis of unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee and to evaluate the complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of forty large unicondylar osteoarticular allograft procedures in thirty-eight patients who were followed for a mean of eleven years. Twenty-nine allografts were femoral transplants and included eleven medial and eighteen lateral femoral condyles. Eleven allografts were tibial transplants, including four medial and seven lateral tibial condyles. The procedure was performed after a tumor resection in thirty-six patients and to replace condylar loss after a severe open fracture in the remaining two patients. Complications were analyzed, and allograft survival from the date of implantation to the date of revision or the time of the latest follow-up was determined. Functional and radiographic results were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system at the time of the latest follow-up. RESULTS: One patient died of tumor-related causes without allograft failure before the two-year follow-up evaluation. The global rate of allograft survival at both five and ten years was 85%, with a mean follow-up of 148 months. In six patients, the allografts were removed at an average of twenty-six months (range, six to forty-eight months) and these were considered failures. All six patients underwent a second allograft procedure including two new unicondylar and four bicondylar reconstructions. The mean radiographic score for the thirty-three surviving allografts evaluated was 89%, with an average functional score of 27 of a possible 30 points. CONCLUSIONS: Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee appear to be a reliable alternative for patients in whom reconstruction of massive osteoarticular bone loss is limited to one condyle of the femur or the tibia.     

The effect of cement augmentation and anteromedial plating on proximal humerus allograft reconstruction

Background

Limb salvage following the resection of tumor from the proximal part of the humerus, poses many challenges, and there is no consensus regarding the best reconstructive technique after proximal humerus resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anteromedial placing of the plate in the absence of deltoid muscle and cement augmentation on the functional outcome, complication rate and survival of proximal humerus allograft reconstruction.

Functional outcomes and complications of reconstruction of the proximal humerus after intra‐articular tumor resection

Objective: To evaluate functional outcomes and complications of reconstruction of the proximal humerus after intra‐articular tumor resection. Methods: Twenty‐five patients who underwent Malawer I type resection and reconstruction of the proximal humerus for treatment of malignant or invasive benign tumors from August 1999 to August 2005 were evaluated. A variety of reconstructive procedures, including modular tumor prosthesis, osteoarticular allograft, and allograft‐prosthetic composite (APC), were performed after resection of tumor. Oncological and radiographic parameters were evaluated. The modified Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) evaluation system was used to assess limb functional outcome. Results: The study group consisted of 10 male and 15 female patients, among which there were 20 malignant and 5 benign tumors. Restoration of shoulder function was achieved with a prosthesis in 6 patients, osteoarticular allograft in 12, and allograft‐prosthesis composite in 7. At a mean of 48 months follow‐up, 2 patients had died of disease. Two patients had local recurrence and 2 had metastatic disease. On the basis of the modified MSTS functional evaluation, the mean scores were 22.50 in the modular prosthesis group, 24.58 in the osteoarticular allograft group, and 27.00 in APC group, respectively. Joint instability and subluxation were serious complications affecting shoulder function in 10 patients. Conclusion: Reconstruction of the proximal humerus is an option that provides good relief of pain and preserves manual dexterity. Functional outcomes are better for APC and allograft than for modular prosthesis, due to retention of the rotation cuff. Complications in the APC group were less than in the allograft one.     

Allogeneic grafts for bone tumor: 21 cases of osteoarticular and segmental grafts

We treated 21 aggressive and malignant bone tumors by wide resection and replacement with deep-frozen osteoarticular and segmental (intercalary and block) allografts. Radiologic and histologic studies showed a gradual accretion of new bone on the graft trabeculae, sometimes with total creeping substitution. Substantial resorption of grafted condylar bone occurred in 3 of 14 cases. One of them ended with arthrodesis; in the other 2 the result after augmentation autografts was fair. Radiographically, a gradual joint surface destruction was observed in all the osteoarticular grafts after 5 years, not correlating with joint function, however. Biopsies showed some cartilage regeneration. Each patient underwent, on an average, two operations. Function after osteoarticular grafts at 3-16 years was excellent in 1 case, good in 4, fair in 6, and poor in 1 case; 2 cases were too recent for evaluation. Function 3-12 years after segmental grafts was excellent in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases (1 amputation due to nonunion, 1 amputation due to recurrence, and 1 prosthetic replacement due to recurrence); 1 case was too recent for evaluation. We conclude that an allograft is an acceptable alternative in the reconstruction of large tumor defects. However, it still presents unsolved immunologic and preservation problems, which make the prognosis guarded.     

Use of distal femoral osteoarticular allografts in limb salvage surgery

BACKGROUND: As diagnostic and therapeutic techniques improve, patients with a musculoskeletal sarcoma should expect longer survival, fewer complications and side effects, and an improved quality of life. Functional longevity of the reconstruction after resection of the tumor becomes a major concern, especially in young and physically active patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mid-term and long-term survival of reconstructions with a distal femoral osteoarticular allograft in a series of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of eighty reconstructions with a distal femoral osteoarticular allograft following resection of a bone tumor in seventy-six patients. The mean duration of follow-up was eighty-two months. The rates of survival of the allograft and the joint surface were estimated with use of the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether age, gender, the percentage of the femur that had been resected, and the use of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Functional and radiographic results were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system at the time of the latest follow-up. RESULTS: Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving seventy-five allografts in seventy-one patients available for study. Thirteen patients (thirteen allografts) died of tumor-related causes without allograft failure before a two-year radiographic follow-up could be performed. Of the remaining sixty-two allografts, fourteen failed: six failed as a result of infection; four, because of local recurrence; one, because of massive resorption; and three, as a result of fracture. At the time of final follow-up, at a mean of 125 months, forty-eight allografts were still in place. The overall rate of allograft survival was 78% at both five and ten years, and the rate of allograft survival without the need for resurfacing with a knee prosthesis was 71% at both five and ten years. With the numbers available, age, gender, the percentage of the femur that had been resected, and the use of chemotherapy were not found to have a significant effect on the overall allograft survival rates. The patients who retained the original allograft had good or excellent functional and radiographic results. CONCLUSIONS: The life expectancy for most patients with a highly aggressive or malignant tumor in the distal part of the femur is now several decades. In this study, we found a high rate of survival of distal femoral allograft reconstructions at both five and ten years.     

Allogeneic grafts for bone tumor. 21 cases of osteoarticular and segmental grafts

We treated 21 aggressive and malignant bone tumors by wide resection and replacement with deep-frozen osteoarticular and segmental (intercalary and block) allografts. Radiologic and histologic studies showed a gradual accretion of new bone on the graft trabeculae, sometimes with total creeping substitution. Substantial resorption of grafted condylar bone occurred in 3 of 14 cases. One of them ended with arthrodesis; in the other 2 the result after augmentation autografts was fair. Radiographically, a gradual joint surface destruction was observed in all the osteoarticular grafts after 5 years, not correlating with joint function, however. Biopsies showed some cartilage regeneration. Each patient underwent, on an average, two operations. Function after osteoarticular grafts at 3-16 years was excellent in 1 case, good in 4, fair in 6, and poor in 1 case; 2 cases were too recent for evaluation. Function 3-12 years after segmental grafts was excellent in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases (1 amputation due to nonunion, 1 amputation due to recurrence, and 1 prosthetic replacement due to recurrence); 1 case was too recent for evaluation. We conclude that an allograft is an acceptable alternative in the reconstruction of large tumor defects. However, it still presents unsolved immunologic and preservation problems, which make the prognosis guarded.     

Massive allografts in tumour surgery

We offer our personal experience of the use of massive bone allografts after tumour resection. We demonstrate the long-term results from 71 patients (72 allografts) operated on between 1961 and 1990. The long-term survival rate in osteoarticular and intercalary grafts is around 60%. Fractures of the graft can be salvaged in most cases. Infection leads to the removal of the graft in almost all cases. Factors influencing the survival, remodelling and complications of the grafts are discussed. The regime of cryopreservation, fixation and loading of the graft influence these factors, as do the use of autologous bone chips around the allograft-host junction and the application of chemotherapy or radiation. Fracture of the graft can be salvaged in most cases, as opposed to infection which remains the most severe complication and can occur at any time. Even with the improvement of tumour endoprostheses, the use of allografts remains an option, especially in young patients.     

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.     

Outcome After Reconstruction of the Proximal Humerus for Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review

Background

Tumors of the appendicular skeleton commonly affect the proximal humerus, but there is no consensus regarding the best reconstructive technique after proximal humerus resection for tumors of the shoulder.

Questions/purposes

We wished to perform a systematic review to determine which surgical reconstruction offers the (1) best functional outcome as measured by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, (2) longest construct survival, and (3) lowest complication rate after proximal humerus resection for malignant or aggressive benign tumors of the shoulder.

Methods

We searched the literature up to June 1, 2013, from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Only studies reporting results in English, Dutch, or German and with followups of 80% or more of the patients at a minimum of 2 years were included. Twenty-nine studies with 693 patients met our criteria, seven studies (24%) were level of evidence III and the remainder were level IV. Studies reported on reconstruction with prostheses (n = 17), osteoarticular allografts (n = 10), and allograft-prosthesis composites (n = 11). Owing to substantial heterogeneity and bias, we narratively report our results.

Results

Functional scores in prosthesis studies ranged from 61% to 77% (10 studies, 141 patients), from 50% to 78% (eight studies, 84 patients) in osteoarticular graft studies, and from 57% to 91% (10 studies, 141 patients) in allograft-prosthesis composite studies. Implant survival ranged from 0.38 to 1.0 in the prosthesis group (341 patients), 0.33 to 1.0 in the osteoarticular allograft group (143 patients), and 0.33 to 1.0 in allograft-prosthesis group (132 patients). Overall complications per patient varied between 0.045 and 0.85 in the prosthesis group, 0 and 1.5 in the osteoarticular graft group, and 0.19 and 0.79 in the prosthesis-composite graft group. We observed a higher fracture rate for osteoarticular allografts, but other specific complication rates were similar.

Conclusions

Owing to the limitations of our systematic review, we found that allograft-prosthesis composites and prostheses seem to have similar functional outcome and survival rates, and both seem to avoid fractures that are observed with osteoarticular allografts. Further collaboration in the field of surgical oncology, using randomized controlled trials, is required to establish the superiority of any particular treatment.     

Massive femoral allografts followed for 22 to 36 years. Report of six cases.

Six massive femoral allografts followed up for 22 to 36 years are described. Three were intercalary, two were osteoarticular and one was a total femoral replacement. Their functional rating according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society System (Enneking 1987) averaged 82% (56 to 100). The radiographic score averaged 75% (48 to 100). Four allografts had suffered fractures, but three of these had later united to give good final scores. Our study shows that massive femoral allografts can function well for as long as 36 years.     

Distal Femoral Osteoarticular Allografts: Long-term Survival,But Frequent Complications

Background  

Complications are frequent with osteoarticular allografts, and their long-term survivorship in the distal femur is unclear. Thus, the benefits of osteoarticular allografting remain controversial.     

Limb-sparing surgery preserves more function than amputation: a Scandinavian sarcoma group study of 118 patients

We evaluated the long-term functional outcome in 118 patients treated for osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma in the extremities a minimum of five years after treatment. We also examined if impaired function influenced their quality of life and ability to work. The function was evaluated according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Quality of life was assessed by using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The mean age at follow-up was 31 years (15 to 57) and the mean follow-up was for 13 years (6 to 22). A total of 67 patients (57%) initially had limb-sparing surgery, but four had a secondary amputation. The median MSTS score was 70% (17% to 100%) and the median TESS was 89% (43% to 100%). The amputees had a significantly lower MSTS score than those with limb-sparing surgery (p < 0.001), but there was no difference for the TESS. Tumour localisation above knee level resulted in significantly lower MSTS scores and TESS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in quality of life between amputees and those with limb-sparing surgery except in physical functioning. Of the patients 11% (13) did not work or study. In multivariate analysis, amputation, tumour location above the knee and having muscular pain were associated with low physical function. We conclude that most of the bone tumour survivors managed well after adjustment to their physical limitations. A total of 105 are able to work and have an overall good quality of life.     

Endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus. Long-term results

We studied 100 patients who had undergone endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus between 1976 and 1998. The outcome was assessed with regard to the survivorship of the patients, the salvaged limbs and the prostheses. Function was determined in the 47 surviving patients, of whom 30 were assessed using the Musculo-Skeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) rating scale and 38 completed the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) questionnaire. The median age of the patients was 34 years (10 to 80). The mean follow-up period for surviving patients was nine years (2 to 20). The mean MSTS score at follow-up was 79% and the mean TESS score was 72%. The length of bone which was resected influenced the functional outcome. Abduction of the shoulder was to 45 degrees in most patients. The overall survival was 42% at ten years and that of the limb without amputation 93%. The survival of the prostheses using mechanical failure as the endpoint was 86.5% at 20 years. Endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus is a predictable procedure providing reasonable function of the arm with a low rate of complications at long-term follow-up.     

Limb salvage in bone sarcomas in patients younger than age 10: a 20-year experience

The authors present their experience over the last 20 years in limb salvage procedures of a consecutive series of 40 children under 10 years of age (range 2-10 years) with bone sarcomas. Nineteen were osteogenic sarcomas and 21 were Ewing sarcomas. Only one case, located in the distal phalanx of the toe, was treated by straightforward amputation. Intercalary allografts and Canadell's technique were used to preserve joints whenever possible, and prosthesis or osteoarticular allografts were used when the joint surface was involved. Survival rate in this series was 75%. There were four local recurrences. At the last follow-up (mean 11.2 years, range 5-19 years postop), 90% of the patients preserved their limbs. Eighty percent of the authors' results were excellent or good according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scale. Limb salvage is a real possibility even in young children with bone sarcomas. The age of the patient itself is not a contraindication for limb salvage.     

Massive proximal femoral osteoarticular allograft

The implantation of massive allografts is a reconstruction alternative after limb salvage for aggressive bone tumours. It is hoped that durable long-term results can be obtained with these biological reconstructions. Revitalization of the allografts is one of the most important factors with regard to durability. One massive proximal femoral osteoarticular allograft is described that was followed up for 22 years. Twenty-one years after the implantation, a traumatic fracture in the middle of the allograft occurred, and formation of massive callus showed that revitalization even in the central parts of massive allografts is sufficient for fracture healing. This is why it may be justified to expect long-lasting results.     

The outcome of allografts and anterior instrumentation in spinal tuberculosis

Spinal tuberculosis is the most common form of osteoarticular tuberculosis. Fractures, slippage, and increasing deformity have been reported with the use of autologous rib grafts after anterior spinal decompression. Forty-one patients with neurologic deficits caused by spinal tuberculosis had radical anterior decompression, and the anterior column was reconstructed with fresh-frozen femoral allografts and stabilized with a single-rod screw construct. Antituberculous therapy was administered for 12 months and complete neurologic recovery occurred in 32 patients. The incorporation of allografts commenced between 12 and 18 months. Fusion and remodeling was observed in 33 patients and partial remodeling with fusion was observed in eight patients at a mean followup of 6.4 years. Forty-two percent correction of the kyphosis was achieved and there were no cases of fracture or late sepsis. Fresh-frozen allografts and anterior instrumentation are superior to rib grafts in supporting the anterior spinal column, and although fusion occurred late, the grafts remained stable.