A review of humeral stem removal during revision shoulder arthroplasty

Despite the overwhelming clinical success of shoulder arthroplasty, several situations may arise that necessitate revision arthroplasty. This often requires removal of the humeral component. Extraction of a humeral prosthesis is a technically demanding procedure, which requires an understanding of the indications for humeral component explantation, careful preoperative planning, knowledge of the humeral component to be removed, a grasp of several different methods of stem removal, and the tools required. Cement extraction often poses substantial technical challenges and requires further specialized instruments. Surgeons should be prepared to manage specific complications that may arise such as canal perforation and humerus fracture.