Humeral Head Replacement With Wrapping Reconstruction of the Rotator Cuff After Resection of Chondrosarcoma With Long-Term Shoulder Function: A Case Report

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman with chondrosarcoma of the left proximal humerus was treated by humeral head replacement with wrapping reconstruction of the rotator cuff after resection. The dissected tendons of the rotator cuff were each sutured to the stump of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon. At the final follow-up 41 years after surgery, the patient had no difficulty in daily living and no pain, and her shoulder range of motion was successfully maintained. Although the proximal humerus is a common location for bone tumors, reconstruction and stabilization of the shoulder after tumor resection are still challenging. Wrapping reconstruction of the rotator cuff appeared to provide a dynamic force couple of the shoulder for more than 40 years. This reconstructive method is a viable treatment option for young patients with low-grade malignant tumors occurring in the proximal humerus. J Med Cases. 2019;10(2):53-57 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3252