Modular endoprostheses today represent a standard treatment option in the management of musculoskeletal tumors of the lower extremities. Long-term results of these reconstructions, however, are often limited by the course of the underlying disease. We therefore report our experiences in cancer patients with megaprostheses of the lower limb after a minimum of 15 years. 62 patients, 34 men and 28 women, with a mean age of 26 years (median, 20; range, 6–83) were included in this investigation with a mean follow-up of 230 months (median, 228; range, 180–342). Endoprosthetic reconstructions of the proximal femur (11), the distal femur (28), the total femur (2) or the proximal tibia (21) were indicated for osteosarcoma (43), chondrosarcoma (5), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (3) or other tumors (11). All patients have received either a KMFTR (22) or a HMRS (40) modular prosthesis; 23 patients had a muscle flap, 14 had a fibular transposition osteotomy and 4 have received an artificial LARS ligament for soft-tissue reconstruction.Background
Materials and Methods