Orthopaedic treatment of malignant bone tumours in children

The treatment of malignant bone tumours in children has improved significantly over the past 50 years. Previously, the only curative treatment was amputation, but today the surgical treatment has changed towards limb salvage surgery. However, there is not consensus regarding choice of surgical procedure, and it is mainly based upon the surgeon's previous experience. This review describes four reconstructive methods: rotationplasty, free vascularised fibula graft, bone transport and expandable endoprosthesis. All four methods are suitable surgical options with satisfactory functional outcome, though they vary in complications and revision rates.