Use of LARS for soft tissue function reconstruction during tumor-type hemi-shoulder replacement achieves a good prognosis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Shoulder soft tissue function reconstruction during tumor-type hemishoulder replacement is an important step to restore shoulder function. This study evaluates the functional prognosis and postoperative complications of ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS)-assisted soft tissue functional reconstruction in tumor-type hemi-shoulder replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with an average age of 37.5 ± 17.8 years diagnosed with benign invasive tumors, primary malignant bone tumors, or bone metastases were enrolled in this study. The patient’s medical records (history and surgical details), histological sections, imaging files, oncological prognosis, functional prognosis, and postoperative complications were collected. The upper limb function and shoulder joint function were evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) system and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scoring criteria, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients comprising 12 males and 10 females were enrolled. Overall, 9 patients had preoperative pathological fractures. The mean lesion length was 8.6 ± 3.0 cm. The local recurrence was observed in 3 cases, including 2 cases of osteosarcoma and 1 case of MGCT. A further 4 cases had pulmonary metastasis, including 2 cases with local tumor recurrence. The average postoperative MSTS score was 25.8 ± 1.7, and the score of postoperative ASES was 85.7 ± 6.0, both of which showed satisfactory functional recovery. Two cases experienced postoperative complications requiring surgical intervention, including one periprosthetic fracture and one giant cell granuloma. Prosthesis dislocation occurred in 1 case. None of the cases of periprosthetic infection or postoperative complications resulted in implant failure. CONCLUSIONS: LARS-assisted soft tissue function reconstruction in benign and malignant proximal humerus tumors after a tumor-type hemi-shoulder replacement is an effective technical improvement, which can effectively repair the integrity of the joint capsule to restore joint stability, provide a medium for soft tissue attachment to rebuild the muscular dynamic system, and eliminate residual dead space around the prosthesis, effectively improving limb function and reduce postoperative infection complications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-023-03008-7.