Innovative surgical technique for reconstruction of metacarpal in giant cell tumor – A case report

Abstract

Background: Giant cell tumor or Osteoclastoma is a rare tumor of bones accounting for less than 5% of all the primary bone tumors. It is extremely rare in small bones of hand. Even in hand, metacarpals are less commonly involved as compared to phalanges. The Giant cell tumor presented here at advanced stage. It was associated with bony destruction and swelling, thereby complicating the treatment protocol. Recurrence rate is higher at advanced stage. The various treatment modalities found in the literature include curettage with or without bone grafting, enbloc resection and reconstruction and ray amputations. We here describe a case of successful transplantation of 4th metatarsal to replace the affected 2nd metacarpal bone. This enabled us to preserve the full function of the carpometacarpal & metacarpo-phalangeal joints by a relatively new technique.