Fibulectomy for Primary Proximal Fibular Bone Tumors: A Functional and Clinical Outcome in 46 Patients

Primary benign and malignant tumors of the proximal fibula are not very common. Upper fibula being an expendable bone; the majority of the primary bone tumors at this site are usually treated with en bloc proximal fibulectomy. There is scarce literature on functional results, difficulties faced during dissection when to preserve or sacrifice common peroneal nerve and importance of lateral collateral ligament repair after proximal fibulectomy. The present study attempts at assessing these variables.

This retrospective study included 46 patients; 30 males and 16 females with age ranging from 12 to 44 years (average: 26 years) operated between 2003 and 2014. There were 34 benign and 12 malignant tumors. All were treated with proximal en bloc fibulectomy as indicated and decided by the operating surgeon keeping in view its extent on magnetic resonance imaging. Peroneal nerve sacrifice or preservation was decided as per the type (benign/malignant), its involvement by the tumor and the extent of the tumor. In 14 (for 12 malignant and two benign giant cell tumors [GCTs]) patients, the peroneal nerve required resection for the margins. Partial upper tibial resection was performed in cases of malignant tumors and three GCTs. The followup ranged between 24 and 120 months (median: 48 months).

Patients with peroneal nerve resection had inferior functional outcome than those without peroneal nerve resection. There was no higher risk of tibia fracture in patients with partial tibial resection. Lateral collateral reconstruction yielded better results and should be performed in all cases. Functional outcome was significantly better in patients with benign tumors than in patients with malignant tumors as these required neither resection of the peroneal nerve nor large amount of muscle excision. The functional results were evaluated using Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using knee and ankle movements and stability. The overall average MSTS score was 26.50.

With good reconstruction of lateral ligament we can achieve good results after proximal fibulectomy for benign as well as malignant tumor without much instability. With partial upper tibial resection (i.e., the extra-articular resection of proximal tibiofibular joint) adequate margins are feasible even in malignant tumors.