Management of Paediatric Proximal Tibia Osteosarcoma – A Novel Technique of Preservation of Physeal Growth

Introduction: Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor, the treatment of which is controversial between amputation and limb salvage surgery. Osteosarcoma occurring in a child is a challenge to manage due to the arrest of limb and the resultant limb length discrepancy. The management options for a child less than eight years of age are very limited. Case report: We present a case of a six year old child who was diagnosed to have osteosarcoma of proximal tibia. She was started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy, after which, she underwent wide resection and reconstruction with free vascularised fibular graft. The joint was fused using a locking compression plate and screws. The locking screws were inserted avoiding the distal femoral physis, enabling growth of the physis in future. Adjuvant chemotherapy was then given. Follow up radiographs showed Harris growth lines indicating growth to be occurring at the distal femoral physis. She was not found to have recurrence on last follow up four years after surgery. Conclusion: We found reconstruction using free fibular graft and arthrodesis using plate and screws, provided satisfactory results. An attempt can be made to preserve the distal femur physis.