ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Oncol.
Sec. Surgical Oncology
Volume 15 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1596530
The utilization of 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses in the repair and reconstruction of malignant tumors in proximal humerus
Provisionally accepted
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Background The utilization of 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses represent a viable reconstructive option for patients who are unable to retain the deltoid muscle or axillary nerve following the resection of malignant tumors in the proximal humerus. However, there exists a limited body of literature regarding the application of this prosthetic type. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses in the repair and reconstruction of the proximal humerus post-tumor resection. Additionally, we investigated the incidence of postoperative complications and the enhancements associated with the prostheses.Patients and methods This study retrospectively examined a cohort of 12 patients diagnosed with malignant tumors of the proximal humerus, who underwent reconstruction utilizing 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses at our institution between January 2020 and December 2022. The design of the prostheses were conducted preoperatively through computer-aided design (CAD) technology, among other methods. Each patient underwent intraoperative resection of the tumor-affected segment followed by reconstruction with the 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses. Postoperative follow-up assessments were conducted to evaluate the range of motion of the shoulder joint, assess shoulder joint functionality, document the occurrence of complications, and analyze potential risk factors associated with these outcomes.Result All 12 patients underwent the procedure without complications. The follow-up period for all patients averaged (26.2 ± 14.5) months. At the final follow-up, the average active shoulder joint abduction among the twelve patients was 75.2° ± 12.3°, while the average anterior flexion was 70.8° ± 18.4°. The average ASES score was 75.2 ± 6.3 points , and the MSTS-93 score averaged 22.1 ± 2.5points. According to the complication classification system for post-prosthetic reconstruction proposed by Henderson, the group exhibited one case of type I, two cases of type II, two cases of type III, and two cases of type IV complications. Conclusion The utilization of 3D-printed arthrodesis prostheses in the repair and reconstruction of malignant tumors in proximal humerus has the potential to enhance postoperative functionality. However, the prevalence of complications associated with these prostheses remains significant. Therefore, there is a pressing need for advancements in both prostheses design and surgical protocols to optimize clinical outcomes.
Keywords: bone tumor, Arthrodesis, Shoulder, 3D printing, prostheses
Received: 19 Mar 2025; Accepted: 03 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Bin, Liu, Yuan and Tan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Zhenchao Yuan, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
Jiachang Tan, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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