Post-operative Outcomes and Survivorship for Shoulder Arthroplasty Following Glenohumeral Tumor Resection

A paucity of data exists for post-operative complications and survivorship in patients undergoing resection arthroplasty procedures for treatment of glenohumeral tumors. This study investigates patient and tumor characteristics, 90-day and long- term post-operative complications, and overall survivorship following glenohumeral tumor resection arthroplasty procedures. This single-center retrospective review identified 13 patients, with mean age of 51.6 ± 15.7 years, mean body mass index of 26.5 ± 6.4 kg/m2, and mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 4.9 ± 2.4, who underwent shoulder arthroplasty procedures for glenohumeral tumors, most commonly for chondrosarcoma (n = 5) and metastatic disease (n = 3). Nine patients (69.2%) underwent revision surgeries at a median of 677 days, most commonly for prosthesis instability, dislocation (n=4) or aseptic loosening (n = 3). Seven patients (53.8%) were deceased at a median of 593.6 days. Resection arthroplasty in the treatment of glenohumeral tumors demonstrates low rates of complications during the global period but are fraught with long-term complications. This data provides pertinent information to pre-operatively counsel patients on post-operative expectations. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(4):248–251, 2022)

Key words: giant cell tumor, chondrosarcoma, proximal humerus arthroplasty, tumor prosthesis