Reconstruction Using a Combination of Vascularized Iliac Bone and Autograft Treated by Liquid Nitrogen for Chondrosarcoma Located in the Coracoid Process

Abstract

There is currently no effective adjuvant therapy for chondrosarcoma, and the operations are basic and only therapeutic. For surgical treatment, wide resection is required, but this leads to marked functional loss and requires reconstruction surgery. For malignant bone tumors located around the glenohumeral joint, total shoulder arthroplasty, resection arthroplasty or amputation is selected. Recently, there have been many reports of reconstruction using autogenous bone devitalized with liquid nitrogen after wide resection of malignant soft and bone tumors. Moreover, the combination of autogenous bone treated by liquid nitrogen and vascularized bone graft has been reported. Vascularized bone grafts are more effective for bone union and regeneration of devitalized bone treated by liquid nitrogen. We used this combined technique for a chondrosarcoma located in the coracoid process. Two years after the operation, the shoulder function was excellent. There were no effects on activities of daily life. This case demonstrated that vascularized iliac bone grafts combined with autogenous bone devitalized by liquid nitrogen for the reconstruction of wide bone and joint defects after resection of bone tumors can provide good postoperative function.