Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Vascularized Composite Upper Limb Allograft Harvesting for Proximal Arm Allotransplantation
Published on: June 13, 2025
Proximal and total humerus reconstruction with the use of an aortograft mesh
German A Marulanda1, Eric Henderson, David Cheong
1Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of South Florida, 13220 USF Laurel Drive, Tampa, FL 33613, USA. germarulo@hotmail.com
Background:
The shoulder is commonly affected by primary and metastatic tumors. Current surgical techniques for complex shoulder reconstruction frequently result in functional deficits and instability. A synthetic mesh used in vascular surgery has the biological properties to provide mechanical constraint and improve stability after tumor related shoulder reconstruction.
Questions/Purposes:
We describe (1) surgical technique using a synthetic mesh during humerus reconstructions; (2) functional level defined as shoulder ROM of patients undergoing the procedure; (3) incidence of postoperative dislocation and shoulder instability; and (4) complications associated with the use of the device.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients with proximal humerus replacements reconstructed with a synthetic mesh from February 2006 to July 2008. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically for a minimum of 13 months (mean, 26 months; range, 13-43 months).
Results:
There were no shoulder dislocations at the latest followup. The mean shoulder flexion was 43° (range, 15°-170°) and mean shoulder abduction of 38 (range, 15°-110°). The mean operative time was 121 minutes (range, 80-170 minutes) and the mean blood loss was 220 mL (range, 50-750 mL). One patient had a superficial wound infection and none a deep infection requiring removal of the graft or prosthesis.
Conclusions:
The data suggest the use of a synthetic vascular mesh for proximal humerus reconstruction may reduce dislocations and facilitate soft tissue attachment and reconstruction after tumor resection.
