Ultra-short stem anchorage in the proximal tibial epiphysis after intercalary tumor resections: analysis of reconstruction survival in four patients at a mean follow-up of 56 months.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors localized in the proximal tibial meta-diaphysis often lead to osteoarticular resections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed four patients who underwent intercalary tumor resection and reconstruction using an ultra-short stem in the proximal tibial epiphysis, a procedure that to our knowledge has not been reported in literature so far.

RESULTS: At the time of operation, the mean patient age was 26.2 years. Three patients were male and one was female. Patients were diagnosed with osteosarcoma in two cases, Ewing's sarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone in one case each. In all cases, wide tumor resections were achieved (osteotomy 3-3.5 cm below the tibia plateau joint surface, mean resection length of tibial bone 18 cm) at a mean time of operation of 198.8 min. Two superficial wound-healing disorders occurred, leading to one surgical revision in each case. One local tumor recurrence occurred 12 months after operation in a patient who discontinued his adjuvant chemotherapy. This patient died of disease, 31 months after operation. Three patients are alive with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up of 56 months. Walking is not impaired and light sports activities have been reported in all cases. The mean MSTS score is 28/30.

CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we report this reconstruction technique to be considered for special indications where the functional outcome can be improved by preservation of the knee joint in tumors of the proximal meta-diaphyseal tibial region.