Distal ulnar tumours. Results of management by en bloc resection in nine patients and review of the literature.

A variety of reconstructive procedures have been suggested for stabilizing the ulnar shaft following resection of the distal ulna for tumour. We present the results of a series of nine distal ulnar tumour resections in which four different stabilization techniques were employed. We based our results on an evaluation of function, pain, motion, strength and instability. We obtained good or excellent results in seven patients treated with a soft tissue stabilization of the ulnar stump. One patient did not undergo any stabilization procedure and scored fair in our system. A further patient who required a radiocarpal arthrodesis also had an inferior result. These results suggest that soft tissue stabilization of the ulnar stump should be performed whenever possible.