Treatment of benign lesions of humerus with resection and non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft

The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term results of surgical en bloc resection and replacement with non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft for the treatment of large benign humeral lesions without fixation. We retrospectively reviewed data of seven females and 13 males with unilateral benign lesions where steroid injection, curettage and bone grafting or pathological fracture failed to restore integrity. Subperiosteal, en bloc resection of the cystic lesion with a margin of the normal bone was performed. The average age of the patients at the time of operation was 11.8 years (range 4–28 years). All patients were skeletally mature at last follow-up. Aneurysmal bone cysts were histologically identified in seven cases, solitary cysts in 11 and fibrous dysplasia in two cases. No recurrence of the pathology, pain, graft fracture or limitation in range of motion was noted. In three patients in whom the cyst was adjacent to the proximal growth plate of the humerus, there was shortening of the bone at the last follow-up examination measuring 2 cm, 4.5 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Two cases had a valgus deformity of 10° and 15°, respectively, which was evident radiographically at the time of last follow-up. The results of en bloc resection with non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft for the treatment of large benign humeral lesions without fixation are encouraging. The risk of associated complications is low. In our opinion this should be the method of choice in the treatment of large, multi-chamber benign bone lesions of the humerus which fail more “conservative” treatment.