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Wide Resection of Distal Ulna Giant Cell Tumors: is Tenodesis of Extensor Carpi Ulnaris necessary?
Dimitra Melissaridou, MD
1; Ioannis Papanastassiou, MD
2; Olga Savvidou, MD
1; Panayiotis Papagelopoulos, MD
111st Department of Orthopaedics,Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Attica, Greece; 2Agioi Anargyroi General Hospital, Athens, Attica, Greece
Introduction: The necessity of stabilizing the residual ulnar stump after distal ulna tumor resection remains controversial.The authors retrospectively compared the outcome of patients who underwent wide resection of distal ulna giant cell tumors (GCTs) and reconstruction with tenodesis of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) or without reconstruction.
Methods: Between 2007 and 2023, 12 patients (8 females, 4 males; mean age, 36.8 years; range, 24-65 years) who underwent distal ulna resection for GCT of bone were retrospectively reviewed. The mean resection length was 8.1 cm. Seven patients had no reconstruction, whereas 5 patients had stabilization of the ulnar stump using ECU tenodesis. With a mean follow-up of 3.6 years (2-9 years), the functional outcome using the quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score;Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score and grip strength; as well as the oncological outcome were evaluated.
Results:Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional scores were more than 24 in 8 patients and 20 to 24 in 4 patients (mean, 27.6 or 92%). Quick DASH scores ranged from 0 to 27.3 (mean, 11.1). In both groups, similar scores were observed (P > .5).No patient had instability or pain related to the stump. There was no ulnar translation or subluxation of the radiocarpal joint. Grip strength in the operated hand, controlled for handedness, was 11% less than in the contralateral hand, although there was no difference between groups (P > .4). All patients were disease-free at the latest follow-up.
Conclusions:The distal ulna may be widely resected with or without stabilization of the residual ulnar stump, yielding satisfactory local disease control and functional outcome.
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