Reconstruction of the shoulder joint using an acetabular allograft. A report of two cases

Wide resection of tumors involving the glenoid region of the scapula compromises a center of motion in the shoulder joint and can cause significant loss of function. Two patients with aggressive tumor of the scapula were treated with wide resection and reconstruction using an osteoarticular acetabular allograft. The ball and socket geometry of the newly reconstructed joint and secure reattachment of soft tissues in the allograft provided a stable shoulder joint. The functional results of the two patients were 87% and 93%, respectively according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society system. In a select group of patients with locally aggressive lesions of the scapula, a surgical reconstruction with an osteoarticular allograft would yield satisfactory functional and cosmetic results.