Wide resection and arthrodesis of knee using fibular graft in aggressive giant cell tumor of distal femur

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of resection and massive allograft arthodesis in the management of aggressive giant cell tumor of distal femur. 10 Patients with mean age 37.8 years [30-46] with Giant cell tumor, Enneking stage-Ill of distal femur were treated by wide resection and reconstruction allograft arthodesis using free fibular graft and fixed with suitable hardware from July 1999 to 2008. There were 6 female patients and 4 male. Follow up period ranged from 30 to 65 months with an average of 45.3 months. At the final follow up, functional score ranged from 18-27 out of a total of 30. Average was 80.4%, range 66-90%. At the end of follow up all the patients were alive and disease free. All the patients achieved union. The mean union time was 16.4, ranged 14-20 weeks. Two patients had fall and fractured the graft. We had to do revision and additional cancellous grafting. Later on healed full union was achieved. One patient developed superficial wound infection which was treated with systemic antibiotics. In selected patients of giant cell tumor of distal femur, resection arthodesis of knee using fibular graft is an effective reconstructive method. It offers biological reconstruction alternative to amputation in selected patients where mobile joint reconstruction can not be carried out