The incidence, risk factors and outcomes of wound complications after preoperative radiotherapy and surgery for high grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas: A 14-year retrospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the wound complication (WC) rate and to determine the risk factors for WC in patients with soft tissue sarcoma treated with preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgical resection. MethodsUsing the database of Oxford University Hospital (OUH) we retrospectively studied 126 cases of soft tissue sarcomas treated with preoperative radiotherapy and surgery between 2007 and 2021. WC were defined as minor wound complication (MiWC) not requiring surgical intervention or major wound complication (MaWC) if they received a secondary surgical intervention. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed using frequency of WC and MaWC as a dependent variable. ResultsThe incidence of WC and MaWC was 43.7% (55/126) and 19% (24/126). Age (OR:1.03, 95%CI: 1.00–1.06, p = 0.016), tumor size (OR:1.11, 95%CI:1.01–1.21, p = 0.027) and tumor site namely proximal lower limb vs upper limb (OR:10.87, 95%CI 1.15–103.03, p = 0.038) were risk factors on multivariate analysis. In nested case control analysis, the incidence of MaWC was 43.6% (24/55), the mean recovery time is 143 days in patients with MaWC. Smoking increases the risk for MaWC (OR:8.32, 95%CI:1.36–49.99, p = 0.022). The time interval between surgery and wound complication reduces the risk for MaWC (OR:0.91, 95%CI:0.84–0.99, p = 0.028) in multivariate analysis. ConclusionsAge, tumor site and size are risk factors for WC requiring preoperative radiotherapy. Smoking and the time interval between surgery and wound complication are risk factors for MaWC as compared with MiWC. MaWC rate (19%) are comparable to those in postoperative radiotherapy and surgery alone.