The Clinical Results of En Bloc Proximal Fibula Resection for the Treatment of Fibular Head Tumor

Abstract

Purpose: We retrospectively reviewed cases of en bloc resection of the proximal fibula for the treatment of tumor arising from the fibular head. Materals and Methods: Between April 1996 and August 2006, 10 patients who underwent en bloc proximal fibular resection and were followed for at least 12 months were included in this study. The mean age was 27.1 years (range, 5-60 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 64.7 months (range, 12.7-140.6 months). The type of en bloc resection was classified according to the Malawer’s resection criteria and the postoperative clinical results were evaluated according to the range of motion, knee joint stability and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional scoring system. Results: All patients were able to move the knee joint from 0° extension to 145o flexion except one patient with flexion contracture of 5o. Grade 1 lateral instability of the knee joint was present in two patients. The average MSTS function score was 92.6% (range, 73-100%). There was one patient with lung metastasis who was underwent lobectomy, but there were no patients with local recurrence. Conclusion: En bloc resection of the proximal fibula for the treatment of tumors arising from the fibular head is a useful therapeutic method that preserves the knee stability and promotes good functional outcome