Malignant musculoskeletal
tumors about the shoulder girdle region involving the scapula are fairly rare, but when diagnosed, challenging and complex surgical treatment may be warranted with the primary goal of improving patient survival. These
tumors are typically extensive and infiltrative at the time of presentation, requiring radical resection to achieve margins and obtain local
tumor control. Historically, forequarter
amputation or flail extremity were the mainstays of treatment in these cases. Presently, with recent advances in diagnostics, imaging, adjuvant
therapies, and surgical treatment, many patients presenting with malignant
tumors involving the scapula are candidates for
limb salvage surgery. Reconstruction with
endoprosthesis seems to have gained acceptance as the preferred surgical treatment for such lesions, as this intervention has resulted in improved postoperative function and cosmesis, with an acceptable complication rate. We present our experience with recent advancement in these surgical efforts in the form of shoulder girdle reconstruction with total scapular reverse total
shoulder prosthesis after radical
tumor excision.