Purpose: Giant cell tumour (GCT) of the distal radius is associated with high local recurrence rates unless the tumour is aggressively resected, which often leaves a significant skeletal defect. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional outcomes of two commonly used reconstructive techniques, vascularised free fibular transfer (VFF) and non-vascularised structural iliac crest transfer (NIC).
Method: Patients treated for giant cell tumour of the distal radius in either Vancouver or at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto were identified in the prospectively collected databases maintained in each centre. Twenty-seven patients were identified, 14 of whom underwent VFF transfer as their primary procedure. The two groups were comparable for age, sex and tumour grade. Functional outcomes were assessed with TESS, MSTS, DASH and the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale.
Results: Fourteen patients were included in the VFF group, 13 of which were performed as the primary index procedure, one followed prior cementation. Thirteen patients underwent NIC, one followed prior cementation. Two local recurrences occurred in the VFF group and one in NIC group, all treated with local excision. In the VFF group three patients underwent further surgery for cosmesis, hardware removal and tendon release respectively. One is scheduled for future surgery for tendon release. In the NIC group two patients suffered infections requiring debridement, one of which ultimately went on to require free fibular transfer. This patient’s results were included in the NIC group as this was the index procedure. Functional scores showed no differences between the two groups on any of the parameters studied for the upper limb (Mann-Whitney test). The Ankle osteoarthritis scale had a median score of 9% for the six patients on which it was available.
Conclusion: Both VFF and NIC are effective surgical techniques that result in a well-functioning wrist arthrodesis. VFF may be more useful where there is a significant skin defect from previous interventions. We were unable to demonstrate any difference in functional scores between VFF and NIC.
