Autogenous fibular transplantation and reconstruction of radiocarpal joint after en bloc excision of giant cell tumor of distal radius

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the method and curative effect of reconstruction with vascularized or nonvascularized autogenous fibular transplantation of radiocarpal joint after en bloc excision of giant cell tumor of distal radius.Methods Seventeen cases with giant cell tumor of distal radius bone were treated by en bloc resection and reconstruction of wrist joint with vascularized or non-vascularized autogenous fibular transplantation.Postoperative wrist joint function and radiographic outcomes were evaluated.Results Seventeen cases were followed up from 2.0 to 5.5 years (average 3.6 years).Three cases were treated by peroneal artery anastomosis and other 3 cases by inferior lateral genicular artery anastomosis.All cases achieved primary healing of incision and the radial average length that was en bloc excised was 7.6 cm.All of the transplanted fibulas were healed well.The bone healing average time of the vascularized fibular graft was 3.7 months,while that of the non-vascularized fibular graft was 7.9 months.No tumor recurrence or lung metastases was observed during the follow-up,but 1 wrist joint was narrowed and another had degeneration of the wrist.After 2 years of surgery,the average range of motion of the wrist joint was as follows:dorsiflexion 47°,flexion 30°,ulnar deviation 23°,radial deviation 14°,pronation 55°,supination 62°.The grip force was from 40％ to 80％ of the contralateral upper limb.The MSTS score averaged 87.6 ％ with 6 excellent,eight good and 3 satisfactory results.Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder,and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score averaged 3.48.Conclusion The method of autogenous fibular transplantation and reconstruction of radiocarpal joint after en bloc excision of giant cell tumor of distal radius can save the wrist joint function in a certain extent.It is an effective method of the wrist joint function reconstruction and beneficial to bone healing with vascularized transplantation which has less complications. Key words: Bone transplantation; Bone remodeling; Giant cell tumor of bone; Wrist joint; Fibula