[Clavicula pro humero--a new surgical method for malignant tumors of the proximal humerus]

In the majority of cases with malignant tumors in the proximal part of the humerus a limb saving tumor resection is possible. Reconstruction of the defect is necessary to maintain the length of the arm and to create a fulcrum for elbow flexion and extension. Several methods of reconstruction have been described in the literature including the fixation of distal humerus to the second rib or to the clavicle by means of Küntscher-nails, the implantation of a proximal humerus prosthesis without or with accompanying bone transplantation, a bridging of the defect using an allograft or an arthrodesis of the shoulder joint using free or vascularized bone transplants. The following paper describes a new surgical procedure whereby the vascularization of the clavicle is preserved and the clavicle used to bridge the defect. Although the follow-up period of the patients operated on so far in this way is relatively short, the functional advantages of this operation over the other forms of reconstruction can already be observed.