FUNCTION FOLLOWING LIMB SALVAGE FOR PRIMARY TUMORS OF THE SHOULDER GIRDLE - 10 PATIENTS FOLLOWED 4 (1-11) YEARS

10 patients with primary neoplasms of the shoulder girdle underwent limb salvage procedures involving resection of the proximal humerus and parts of the scapula and clavicle. The function of the ipsilateral limb was assessed in all patients, in 9 at least one and a half years after surgery. Function was good in 3 of the 6 patients in whom an interposition bone graft was used and a successful shoulder arthrodesis was achieved. In the remaining 3, proximal arthrodesis was unsuccessful and the result was fair in 2 and a failure in 1. All 3 patients in whom the extended Tikhoff Linberg type of reconstruction was undertaken had good function although unsatisfactory cosmetic results. The 10th patient, who had a temporary cement and wire interposition, died of distant metastases 8 months after surgery and was considered a failure.