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Review
. 2021 Oct;13(6):656-670.
doi: 10.1177/17585732211014832. Epub 2021 May 20.

Joint replacement surgery for elbow tumours: a systematic review of outcomes

Gopikanthan Manoharan  1 , Robert W Jordan  2 , Georgios Orfanos  1 , Manikandar S Cheruvu  1 , Paul Cool  1   3 , Stuart M Hay  1
Affiliations
Review

Joint replacement surgery for elbow tumours: a systematic review of outcomes

Gopikanthan Manoharan et al. Shoulder Elbow. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Tumour resection followed by joint reconstruction is a surgical option in the appropriate patient. The evidence for such reconstructive surgery of the elbow joint is limited. The aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate the outcomes of joint replacement surgery in tumours of the elbow.

Methods: A systematic review of PUBMED and EMBASE databases was conducted. Case series and comparative studies reporting results after total elbow arthroplasty, modular endo-prosthetic replacement and custom prosthesis were eligible for inclusion.

Results: Eleven eligible studies were identified (n = 134). At mean follow-up of 44 months, the overall revision rate was 14% and complication rate was 28%. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 75, with 56% of patients reporting good or excellent outcomes. The mean post-operative range of motion was 97°.

Discussion: Elbow prosthesis reconstruction after tumour resection can provide good functional outcomes at mid-term follow-up. The complication and revision rates are comparable to other indications for elbow replacement surgery. Further prospective studies are required to compare outcomes between different elbow arthroplasty options after tumour resection.

Keywords: Total elbow arthroplasty; custom prosthesis; elbow; endo-prosthetic replacement; outcomes; tumour.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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