[Treatment of recurrent giant cell tumor of the tibia with en bloc resections, bone transport and arthrodesis using an AO type external fixations system. A case report]. / Resección en bloque, transporte óseo y artrodesis con fijador tubular AO del tumor de células gigantes recurrente de tibia. Reporte de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: The primary treatment for the giant cell tumor (GCT) at the knee level, both distal femur and proximal tibia remains curettage and application of methyl methacrylate. In the cases where recurrence occurs, controversy exists in the decision making algorithm whether to preserve the joint, or to perform en bloc resection. CASE REPORT: We report a case of GCT that relapsed at proximal tibia in a stage III of Enneking, in a 26 year old patient, that was handled with en bloc resection, transportation and bone arthrodesis using an AO type tubular external fixator (Synthes). After two years of evolution there was no evidence of tumor relapse, the limb was preserved and we obtained a solid arthrodesis, and an acceptable gait. DISCUSSION: We believe this procedure is a feasible option and an alternative to tumoral prosthesis and amputation. However, despite the success obtained with this procedure, we strongly recommend to assess the functional reconstruction procedures on an individual basis and according to the need of each patient.