Outcomes of management of primary benign aggressive or malignant bone tumors around the elbow by limb-salvage surgery

Purpose Bone tumors around the elbow are rare, with frequently delayed diagnosis. The current study aimed to assess the functional and oncological outcomes of limb salvage surgery for primary benign aggressive or malignant bone tumors around the elbow. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary aggressive benign and malignant bone tumors around the elbow treated with limb salvage surgery between 1995 and 2020 at a single musculoskeletal oncology center. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Functional results were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system at the last follow‐up visit. Local recurrence, chest metastasis, and complications were recorded. Results This study included 30 patients, 19 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 25.4 ± 14.2 years. The tumor location was the distal humerus ( n = 21), proximal radius ( n = 5), and proximal ulna ( n = 4). Reconstruction was done by elbow fusion using fibular graft ( n = 10), mobile endoprosthesis ( n = 9), excision arthroplasty ( n = 7), and extracorporeal freezing and reimplantation ( n = 4). The mean follow-up period was 36.2 ± 21.3 months. The median follow-up MSTS score was 27 [Interquartile range (IQR): 26–30]. Skeletally immature patients had a significantly higher MSTS score. The rate of postoperative complications was 26.7%. Conclusion Limb salvage surgery with different reconstructive options for benign aggressive and malignant bone tumors around the elbow can achieve good functional and oncological outcomes. Level of evidence Level IV.