The effect of cement augmentation and anteromedial plating on proximal humerus allograft reconstruction

Limb salvage following the resection of tumor from the proximal part of the humerus, poses many challenges, and there is no consensus regarding the best reconstructive technique after proximal humerus resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anteromedial placing of the plate in the absence of deltoid muscle and cement augmentation on the functional outcome, complication rate and survival of proximal humerus allograft reconstruction.

A number of 36 osteoarticular allograft reconstructions of proximal humerus were included in final study. In 26 cases, medullary canal of the allograft was filled by cement and the complication rate and survival was compared to non-cemented allografts. In addition, anteromedial placement of plate was applied for all resection type IB (18 cases), in which the deltoid muscle was resected. The mean follow-up of patients was 46 months.

In total, 12 complications including 3 fractures, 4 resorptions, 3 infections and 2 nonunions were reported. Complication rates were significantly lower in cemented allografts (p = 0.001). Five year survival rates of cemented and non-cemented allografts were found to be 82% and 70%, respectively. The mean MSTS score was 84.9%, ranging 76-90.

According to our results, cement augmentation improves survival and reduces the complication rate of allografts. Moreover, our results showed that anteromedial placing of the plate in resection type IB could improve the functional outcome of allografts. However, the detailed effect of anteromedial plating should be further investigated in future studies.