Resection of the distal ulna for tumours and stabilisation of the stump. A case report and literature review

The distal end of the ulna is an uncommon site for primary bone tumours. We report the case of a 23-year-old male, with a giant-cell tumour of the distal end of the ulna treated with en-bloc resection and stabilisation of the ulnar stump using one half of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. The amount of bone removed from the distal end of the ulna was 9.0 centimeters long. The functional and oncological results were excellent. Stabilisation of the ulnar stump, using one half of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon, has been described by Goldner and Hayes in 1979, after resection of a relatively small segment of the distal ulna. This is the first report on this technique for stabilisation of the ulnar stump after resection of a large distal ulnar segment. A literature review of reported cases with a resection of the distal ulna for primary bone tumours is presented. The available data are inconclusive as to whether a simple excision is adequate or a reconstruction/stabilisation is required.