Clinical outcome of total scapulectomy in 10 patients with primary malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors

✍ Scribed by Nakamura, Shinichiro; Kusuzaki, Katsuyuki; Murata, Hiroaki; Takeshita, Hideyuki; Hirata, Masazumi; Hashiguchi, Shin; Hirasawa, Yasusuke

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 497 KB
• Volume: 72
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199911)72:3<130::aid-jso4>3.0.co;2-o

✦ Synopsis

Background and Objectives: Limb reconstruction after total scapulectomy for malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors around the scapula is difficult. This study was undertaken to clarify the clinical results of total scapulectomy in patients with malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors around the shoulder girdle in our institute between 1984 and 1998. Methods: Ten patients undergoing total scapulectomy had an age range of 12-82 years (average ‫ס‬ 56 years). There were 5 cases of bone tumor and 5 cases of soft-tissue tumor. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 13 years 5 months. Results: Seven patients are currently alive; the remaining 3 patients died of other diseases. One case of local recurrence was detected. The 2-year survival rate of all cases was 78.8%, and the 5-year survival rate was 52.5%. The average function evaluated by Enneking's criteria was 64.6%. Although the range of motion in the shoulder joint was seriously limited in all patients, the elbow and hand functions were almost normal. Recently, we have used a bone-anchoring system to suture between the clavicle and muscles, including the biceps, triceps, and deltoid muscles. Conclusions: Patients who undergo total scapulectomy may achieve much better upper limb function than those who undergo forequarter amputation (interscapulothoracic amputation).