Megaprosthetic Reconstruction for Pathological Proximal Humerus Fractures: Infection Rates, Prevention Strategies, and Functional Outcomes—A Narrative Review

TL;DR

This review examines infection rates and outcomes of shoulder prostheses after tumor removal, suggesting that antibacterial coatings and soft-tissue techniques can improve results.

Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review of infection prevention and functional outcomes in proximal humerus megaprosthetic reconstruction.

Findings

Infection rates ranged from 4% to 20%, with higher risk in patients receiving adjuvant therapy.

Silver-coated implants reduced periprosthetic joint infection compared to uncoated designs.

Soft-tissue stabilization techniques improved joint stability without increasing infection risk.

Abstract

Background: Megaprosthetic replacement is widely used following tumour resection but remains challenged by periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and variable functional outcomes. This narrative review aims to summarise current evidence on infection rates, prevention strategies, and functional outcomes following proximal humerus megaprosthetic reconstruction. We hypothesise that antibacterial coatings and improved soft-tissue techniques reduce infection rates and enhance functional recovery. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was performed using the terms proximal humerus, shoulder, bone tumor, sarcoma, neoplasm, infection, megaprosthesis, and endoprosthetic replacement. Reference lists were screened manually. Case reports and series with fewer than five patients were excluded. Twenty-seven clinical studies (more than 1100 patients; mainly osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and metastatic lesions) were included and qualitatively analyzed. Results: The reported infection rates ranged from 4% to 20%, with higher risk in patients receiving adjuvant therapy. Silver-coated implants reduced PJI compared with uncoated designs (e.g., 11.2% → 9.2% in primary implants; 29.2% → 13.7% in revisions) without systemic toxicity. Alternative antibacterial coatings (e.g., silver- or copper-enriched hydroxyapatite) showed promising early results but remain supported by limited clinical data. Soft-tissue stabilization with Trevira tube or synthetic mesh improved joint stability and did not increase infection risk. Functional outcomes, usually assessed by MSTS or TESS, were moderate to good (≈60–80%) overall, with better scores when the deltoid and axillary nerve were preserved or when reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was possible. Conclusions: Proximal humerus megaprosthetic reconstruction benefits from meticulous soft-tissue handling, selective use of antibacterial technologies, and multidisciplinary management. The current literature is mainly retrospective, heterogeneous, and non-comparative. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to clarify the long-term effectiveness of silver or alternative coatings, soft-tissue reconstruction techniques, and emerging custom-made 3D-printed prostheses.

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