Alumina ceramic prostheses for bone tumor surgery.

Between 1979 and 1990 reconstruction using a ceramic prosthesis with a polycrystal alumina segment and a monocrystal alumina stem was carried out in 65 patients after the resection of malignant or benign aggressive bone tumors. Resection of 18 osteosarcomas, 5 chondrosarcomas, 9 other sarcomas, 10 giant cell tumors, 20 metastatic bone tumors, and 3 other bone tumors was followed by replacement of 17 proximal femurs, 12 distal femurs, 12 proximal tibia, 11 proximal humeri, 3 distal radii, 5 midshafts of the long bone, 2 pelvises, and 3 other parts. Results were rated excellent in 4 cases, good in 43, fair in 13, and poor in 4. In the cases with benignly aggressive or low-grade malignant tumors and those with tumors of the proximal femur, proximal tibia, or midshaft, satisfactory results can be obtained. Four skin ulcers, three dislocations, three loosenings, two infections, and two breaks were noted. Close interfacing between the ceramic prosthesis and the bone was observed radiologically in all cases with cementless fixation except in cases with high-grade malignancies in the knee joint. These results demonstrate that the ceramic prosthesis can be beneficial for the management of patients with benignly aggressive or low-grade malignant bone tumors who have retained adequate muscle strength around the joint even after tumor resection.