Osteoarticular allografts for reconstruction in the proximal part of the humerus after excision of a musculoskeletal tumor.

An osteoarticular allograft was used to replace the proximal end of the humerus in twenty patients who had had a wide excision of a bone tumor. Three patients needed a second allograft because the first became infected. All patients were followed for at least two years except for two patients who died. The functional results and complications of the twenty-three index procedures were evaluated. Function was excellent in one patient, good in eleven, fair in one, and poor in five. The allografts had advantages compared with other options for reconstruction (for example, prosthetic implants); these included restoration of the length of the bone, replacement of the articular surface, and sites for reattachment of the deltoid muscle and rotator cuff. We concluded that the complications do not preclude use of this procedure.