An osteoarticular allograft was used to replace the proximal end of the
humerus in twenty patients who had had a wide excision of a bone tumor.
Three patients needed a second allograft because the first became infected.
All patients were followed for at least two years except for two patients
who died. The functional results and complications of the twenty-three
index procedures were evaluated. Function was excellent in one patient,
good in eleven, fair in one, and poor in five. The allografts had
advantages compared with other options for reconstruction (for example,
prosthetic implants); these included restoration of the length of the bone,
replacement of the articular surface, and sites for reattachment of the
deltoid muscle and rotator cuff. We concluded that the complications do not
preclude use of this procedure.