Combined use of free vascularised fibula graft and extracorporeally irradiated osteochondral graft for osteosarcoma of the proximal ulna

Abstract

The elbow is an uncommon site for malignant bone tumors. Surgical options for the reconstruction of the elbow joint are limited and technically challenging. In this study, we describe a patient with osteosarcoma of the proximal ulna treated by wide resection and reconstruction with a combined use of free vascularised fibula graft and extracorporeally irradiated osteochondral graft. Ten years after the surgery, the patient is alive, without disease and is able to play golf with no lateral instability or pain of the elbow joint. A vascularised fibula, combined with extracorporeally irradiated osteochondral graft with ligamentous repair is one of the options for the treatment of malignant bone tumor of the proximal ulna.