Lower Extremity Reconstruction After Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection

• Published in: Clinics in plastic surgery Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 307 - 319
• Main Authors: Parikh, Rajiv P., Sacks, Justin M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Clinical oncology; Free flap; Lower extremity reconstruction; Microsurgery; Reconstructive surgery; Soft tissue sarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma; Microsurgery; Reconstructive surgery; Lower extremity reconstruction; Free flap; Clinical oncology
• ISSN: 0094-1298; 1558-0504
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cps.2021.01.007

Surgical resection with wide margins and perioperative radiation therapy is the standard treatment of extremity soft tissue sarcomas. This combination often results in complex wounds and functional compromise. Reconstructive surgery is integral to limb salvage after sarcoma resection. Advances in adjuvant therapy and reconstructive surgical techniques have made functional limb salvage, instead of amputation, possible for most patients. This article reviews key concepts in the multidisciplinary care of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas and details reconstructive surgical techniques, including locoregional and free tissue transfer, free functional muscle transfer, and vascularized bone transfer, to optimize functional limb restoration after sarcoma resection.