title: Complete deltoid resection in early childhood without muscle transfer results in normal shoulder function at long-term follow-up: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal tumors involving the deltoid muscle and necessitating its complete resection are rare. The function after complete deltoid resection is reported to be limited, and several authors consider muscle transfer to improve shoulder motion. However, it still remains unclear whether such transfer adds function. To the best of our knowledge, all reports on complete deltoid resection refer to adult patients, and it is unknown what function results after deltoid resection in childhood. The remaining muscles may have the potential to compensate for the loss of deltoid function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report the case of a 5-year-old white boy with complete (isolated) deltoid muscle resection in infancy for a large aggressive soft tissue tumor. No reconstructive procedure or muscle transfer was performed at the time of index surgery. Pathology revealed an angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. His postoperative course was uneventful. At 11 years of follow-up, he remained disease-free and had excellent shoulder function, including normal range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report implies that major muscles such as the deltoid can be resected in a child without compromising long-term function. Therefore, a muscle transfer at index surgery is probably not necessary.
authors.affiliation: Hôtel Dieu de Québec, 11 Côte du Palais, Quebec, G1R 2J6, Canada.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arteau
authors.affiliation: Sarkomzentrum UZH, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seeli
authors.affiliation: Sarkomzentrum UZH, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland. bruno.fuchs@uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D057645:Deltoid Muscle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D051677:Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Deltoid resection; Pediatric; Shoulder function