Distal humeral replacement provides favorable functional outcome for patients with bone sarcoma

Distal humeral replacement (DHR) can be an effective limb-salvage option for patients with bone defects resulting from the removal of primary bone sarcomas, according to a study that found that DHR resulted in favorable functional outcomes and enabled patients to resume sports activities.

Despite various factors such as gender, surgery details, and treatments not significantly affecting the functional outcome, the study did find that patients with a higher level of sports performance prior to diagnosis were more likely to achieve a higher level of sports performance after the DHR procedure.

The study analyzed the outcomes of 24 patients who underwent DHR using a single-design modular implant, of which 14 patients died, leaving a study cohort of 10 patients with a median age of 30 years on the day of surgery.

After a median follow-up period of 230 months, the researchers assessed the patients’ functional outcomes using several scoring systems. The results found that the median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 19, indicating a reasonably good functional outcome. The median Toronto Extremity Salvage Score was 79, reflecting a high degree of limb functionality and quality of life. The median Subjective Evaluation Scale score, measuring patients’ self-perception of functional ability, was 38%. The median Toronto Score, assessing pain and range of motion, was 6, indicating satisfactory results. Finally, the median Western Ontario Shoulder (WAS) score, which evaluates the patients’ ability to engage in sports activities, was 3.

Reference
Schneider KN, Ellerbrock M, Gosheger G, et al. Distal Humeral Replacement in Patients with Primary Bone Sarcoma: The Functional Outcome and Return to Sports. Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(13):3534. doi: 10.3390/cancers15133534. PMID: 37444644.