Premium
Vascular reconstruction in lower limb musculoskeletal tumours
Author(s) -
Spark J. Ian,
Charalabidis Peter,
Laws Peter,
Seben Ruben,
Clayer Mark
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2009.05016.x
Subject(s) - medicine , synovial sarcoma , chondrosarcoma , leiomyosarcoma , amputation , osteosarcoma , surgery , sarcoma , referral , soft tissue , radiology , pathology , family medicine
Background: Individual experience in the investigative, planning and operative aspects of lower limb musculoskeletal tumours is often small, making comparison between results difficult. The aim of the study was to describe the recent experience of a single tertiary referral unit performing limb salvage surgery, to identify areas of concern that are amenable to intervention and to provide clinicians an understanding of the surgical options. Methods: Nine patients with peripheral limb musculoskeletal tumours are described. Four patients had a leiomyosarcoma, and one each of osteosarcoma, synovial chondrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma and recurrent malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. Results: Thirty‐day mortality was nil. Two patients (one with a leiomyosarcoma and one with an osteosarcoma) died at 6 months follow‐up because of pulmonary metastases. One patient with synovial chondrosarcoma developed a local recurrence and underwent an above‐knee amputation. Six patients at 18 months follow‐up are alive with no evidence of local recurrence and a functional lower limb. Conclusion: These cases are a challenge to the clinicians, radiologists and pathologists. Review by a multidisciplinary team can produce successful results with low post‐operative morbidity and mortality. Longer follow‐up is required to determine the long‐term implications.