To the Editor,
I read the article by Dr. Albergo and colleagues [1] with interest. I started replacing Grade 3 giant cell tumors of the distal radius with allograft using a Sauvé-Kapandji technique to avoid the previously reported complications at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) more than 30 years ago. I published a series with moderately long-term follow-up in 2006 [2] and still have follow-up on patients who are alive and who haven’t moved. I am happy to say that those who I have seen have held up for this amount of time. Based on my earlier paper and my personal experience, I believe this is a very satisfactory reconstruction that stands the test of time and provides excellent function. While over time arthrosis often develops in the proximal carpal row, this typically is painless—yes, painless—perhaps because of wrist denervation. Motion comes from the midcarpal row for flexion and extension, which remains functional; in my experience, pronation and supination typically remains full. I have not converted any patient to a prosthesis and there have been no recurrences of disease. This has been my personal experience.
Footnotes
(RE: Albergo JI, Farfalli GL, Cabas-Geat A, Roitman P, Ayerza MA, Aponte-Tinao LA. Does osteoarticular allograft reconstruction achieve long-term survivorship after en bloc resection of grade 3 giant cell tumor of bone? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2020;478:2562-2570).
The author certifies that neither he, nor any members of his immediate family, has funding or commercial associations (consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR® or The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®.
References
- 1.Albergo JI, Farfalli GL, Cabas-Geat A, Roitman P, Ayerza MA, Aponte-Tinao LA. Does osteoarticular allograft reconstruction achieve long-term survivorship after en bloc resection of grade 3 giant cell tumor of bone? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2020;478:2562-2570. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Szabo RM, Anderson KA, Chen JL. Functional outcome of en bloc excision and osteoarticular allograft replacement with the Sauve-Kapandji procedure for Campanacci grade 3 giant-cell tumor of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Am. 2006;31:1340-1348. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]