Purpose: To review and compare the postoperative outcomes of 3 types of shoulder reconstructions: prosthetic arthroplasty, clavicula pro humero reconstruction, and allograft arthrodesis.
Methods: Records of 25 shoulder reconstructions following tumour resection were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative data, oncological prognoses, postoperative complications, and functions were assessed.
Results: We performed 10 prosthetic arthroplasties, 7 clavicula pro humero procedures, 4 allograft arthrodeses, and 4 soft tissue reconstructions. Eight patients died of their diseases. Three developed complications and underwent revision surgery. 19 patients achieved stable shoulders. Ten patients attended for functional assessments. Respective mean scores using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society-International Symposium on Limb Salvage and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score were: 77% and 82% for prosthetic arthroplasties, 67% and 62% for clavicula pro humero procedures, 83% and 70% for allograft arthrodeses, and 93% and 98% for soft tissue reconstructions.
Conclusion: A stable construct is the treatment goal for shoulder reconstructions, as it enables effective function of the arm and hand.