Introduction and Objectives: From January 1983 to December 2000 we treated a total of 542 intermediate to high-grade primary bone tumours. We present our experience in reconstruction following tumour resection from the hip, excluding cases of pelvic reconstruction and cases of localised benign bone tumours of the hip.

Materials and Methods: This study included 49 cases of primary bone tumours localised to the proximal humerus (9% of the total). Of all cases treated by means of massive structural allograft for femoral reconstruction (44), only 11 cases were in the hip region. We performed 28 hip tumour resections for high-grade bone tumors with the following diagnoses: osteosarcoma (7), chondrosarcoma (9), Ewing’s sarcoma (6), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (2), and selected cases of metastasis-myeloma (4). Limb salvage procedures (22) with reconstruction after the first surgery included: modular megaprosthesis (11), megaprosthesis associated with massive structural allograft of the proximal third of the femur (8), and osteoarticular allografts (3). The remaining cases (6) required immediate agressive surgery including coxofemoral disarticulation (4) and hemipelvectomy (2).

Results: Limb salvage cases treated by means of mega-prosthesis associated with a composite allograft presented the following complications: 1 case of deep infection with local recurrence and immediate postoperative dislocation (12.5%), 3 isolated coxofemoral dislocations (37.5%), and one case of homograft osteolysis (12.5%). Mean follow-up time was greater than 5 years, and two patients died due to dissemination of the primary tumour (1 chondrosarcoma and 1 osteosarcoma). Cases of limb salvage treatment using modular mega-prosthesis had the following complications: 2 isolated coxofemoral dislocations (18%) and 2 cases of recurrence or local tumour progression (18%). Mean follow-up time was greater than 3 years, and two patients died due to progression of the primary tumour. Cases of salvage treatment using osteoarticular allografts had a mean follow-up time of 2 years and showed no significant complications.

Discussion and Conclusions: 1) In cases of disease up to 12 years of age (primarily Ewing’s sarcomas) we prefer osteoarticular reconstruction. 2) In cases of young adults (from 12 to 60 years of age) we prefer reconstruction using a megaprosthesis (Wagner type) with massive structural allograft. 3) In cases of older adults (greater than 60 years of age) we perform reconstruction using a modular megaprosthesis for tumour treatment.