Underwent Limb Salvage Surgery Research Articles

Growing Without Pain: The Noninvasive Expandable Prosthesis is Boon for Children with Bone Cancer, as well as Their Surgeons!

Background:Orthopedic oncology has evolved over the past few decades to favor limb salvage over amputations. The noninvasive expandable prosthesis can be lengthened with an externally applied magnetic field eliminating the pain, stiffness, as well as the risk of infection. We present the largest series in Indian experience with this implant over the last 8 years while analyzing its benefit to the surgeons and the patients, but are we able to justify the cost effectiveness?Materials and Methods:Eighteen implants were used in 16 patients with nonmetastatic primary bone sarcoma from May 2006 to June 2015. All implants were manufactured by Stanmore implants worldwide based in London, UK. Lengthening was done in the outpatient department during the followup visits using an external electromagnetic coil. The function was assessed using the musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) score.Results:The patients had a mean age of 10.25 years at the time of surgery. The mean followup was 49.56 months. Twelve patients are alive at a followup after surgery. The prostheses were lengthened by a mean of 31.64 mm and average lengthening per session was 4.18 mm. The mean MSTS score was 28.83. Two revisions for jammed mechanism and two patients had a successful two-stage revision for delayed infection.Conclusion:The noninvasive expandable prosthesis is an ideal implant for children undergoing limb salvage surgery for bone sarcoma who are expected to have more than 3 cm of limb length discrepancy at maturity. The initial high cost compared to a minimally invasive expandable implant can be recovered as there is no additional cost of lengthening. The small amounts of lengthening at more frequent intervals is more physiological as compared with the minimally invasive type where more lengthening is done to minimize the number of procedures. While the functional and oncological outcomes are comparable, this implant allows limb lengths to be maintained without pain, functional compromise or risk of infection.

Biological reconstruction of the bone defects with free fibula flap after resections of extremity located bone tumors: Clinical and radiological short-term results

<br><b>Background:</b> Recently, limb salvage surgery is a preferred method in orthopedic oncology and extremity-located bone tumors treated by limb salvage surgery have a 90%–95% success rate. The aim of the study is functional and radiological evaluations of the undergone biological reconstruction with free fibula flap (FFF) after tumor surgery and the effects of the defect size on the functional results. <b>Subjects and Methods:</b> Between 2005 and 2010, 13 patients (7M/6F) who underwent limb salvage surgery for benign/malignant bone tumors were included in study. Diagnoses included five osteosarcomas, six Ewing's sarcomas, one high-grade chondrosarcoma, and one aneurysmal bone cyst. Diaphyseal and metaphyseal regions of femur (7), humerus (3), tibia (2), and radius (1) were reconstructed. FFF was combined with a strut femoral allograft in seven cases. Postoperatively, partial weight-bearing allowed at postoperative 3 month and increased gradually. The mean follow-up was 25 months (12–60) and evaluated by extremity function scoring of Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and radiologically. <b>Results:</b> On the 6^th month, in 92.3% of patients (12/13), evident union, and on the 12^th month, in all of the patients, evident union and bone flap hypertrophy were observed. The mean MSTS score was measured 77.58% (46.66–100). As the resection size increased, the MSTS scores were significantly decreased (<i>P</i> = 0.027<i>)</i>; as the bone flap size increased, there were relatively low MSTS scores (<i>P</i> = 0.440<i>)</i>. On the patients without bone flap hypertrophy on 6^th month, the bone flap size was measured relatively higher (<i>P</i> = 0.069) and the operation duration was relatively higher (<i>P</i> = 0.100). As the operation duration increased, there were relatively lower MSTS scores (<i>P</i> = 0.062). In cases where allograft and VFG combined (7/9 patients) had higher MSTS scores than the ones, only FFF was used (<i>P</i> = 0.621). <b>Conclusions:</b> Limb salvage surgery improves the life quality without worsening the prognosis and is a method that should be preferred. The biologic reconstruction of the defects with FFF, following extremity located musculoskeletal tumor resections have positive effects on functional outcomes.<br>

The Correlation of Surgical Margins and Outcome Of Soft Tissue Sarcomas of The Extremities and Trunk in Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru

Introduction: Patients with soft tissue sarcoma are treated following the standardized guidelines, however it is not guaranteed patient will remain free from local recurrence (LR) and metastasis. This study was conducted to determine the association between microscopic marginal status with local recurrence, metastasis and the survival of the patient. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2017 in Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru. All patients underwent complete standadized resection of the tumour and had been follow up for 5 years. An operating and follow-up records of 70 cases who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected and analysed using Pearson chi square test and Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Of the 70 patients, 52 were males and 18 were females. The age of the patients were between 16 and 73 years with the means age of 48.8 years old. Sixty eight patients underwent limb salvage surgery and 2 had amputation. 42 of them had positive post-operative microscopic surgical margin (PMSM) while 28 were negative. Local recurrence was noted in 28 and metastasis in 30 patients. Patient who had PMSM has higher risk to get local recurrence and metastasis compared to patient with negative margin (p-value &lt;0.001). The overall median survival was 23 months. Overall survival rates for 3 years was 80% and for 5 years was 65%. Conclusion: In our study, patient with positive post-operative microscopic surgical margin had higher possibility to develop local recurrence, metastases and decrease overall survival rate.

Developing Surgical Oncology Services in Resource Constrained Settings: Results of a Systematic and Motivated Approach

Background: General surgeons trained in surgical oncology and working in a general service hospital can offer and provide a wide variety of oncological services although significant limitations exist compared with a true tertiary cancer care center in developed high income countries. Providing optimal and standard of care surgical oncology services is truly demanding and limitations in ancillary and support services can potentially limit the quality of care provided in resource constrained settings like ours. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of care, surgical outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality, quality of resection in terms of margins and nodal yield over a period of 08 weeks in a general service hospital with resource constrained setting and with two trained and motivated surgical oncologists. Methods: Data of 22 patients with solid organ cancers who underwent major operative treatment both curative and palliative under the surgical oncology services were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were evaluated clinically, imaging as required and pathologic tissue diagnosis of cancer obtained as was possible and after adequate preoperative preparation were operated upon. Results: Four patients of carcinoma rectum underwent low anterior resection with diverting ileostomy, one patient with rectal cancer had APR with permanent end colostomy, two patients underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer, eight patients underwent modified radical mastectomy for carcinoma breast, two patients had optimal cytoreductive surgery for carcinoma ovary -one patient upfront and another as interval cytoreduction, two cases of soft tissue tumor underwent limb salvage surgery, one case of carcinoma stomach underwent subtotal gastrectomy, one case of carcinoma cecum underwent classic right radical hemicolectomy. Two patients underwent emergency exploration for acute abdomen who were otherwise metastatic for palliation. All but one case received neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery in carcinoma rectum, one case of carcinoma ovary and carcinoma breast were operated after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Overall there was only one margin positive resection after low anterior resection who was operated upfront due to impending obstruction. The average nodal yield in all cases of colorectal carcinomas and breast cancer cases were as per current NCCN standards. Morbidities included seroma collection in 3 patients, minor surgical site infection in 2 patients, peristomal allergy in two patients, there were no deaths in elective cases. Conclusion: Providing quality surgical oncology services in a resource constrained general service hospital is challenging. Through an aggressive, well planned and motivated approach with a good surgical oncology training background and with available resources it is possible to achieve a varied spectrum, quality care and an improved and sustainable healthcare oncology systems for better outcomes even in these settings.

Bone tumor resection guide using three-dimensional printing for limb salvage surgery.

The three-dimensional (3D)-printed bone tumor resection guide can be personalized for a specific patient and utilized for bone tumor surgery. It is noninvasive, eidetic, and easy to use. We aimed to categorize the use of the 3D-printed guide and establish in vivo accuracy data. We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients, who underwent limb salvage surgery using the 3D-printed guide at a single institution. To confirm the achievement of a safe bone margin, we compared the actual and planned distances between the cutting surface and tumor, which were reported in the final pathological report and measured from the same virtual cutting plane using graphical data of the cutting guide design, respectively. The use of the 3D-printed guide was categorized as follows: (a) wide excision only, (b) wide excision and biological reconstruction with a structural bone allograft shaped in accordance with the 3D-printed guide, and (c) wide excision and reconstruction with a 3D-printed personalized implant. The maximal cutting error was 3 mm. The 3D-printed resection guide is easy to use and shows promise in the field of orthopedic oncology, with its application in bone tumor resection and reconstruction with a structural bone allograft or 3D-printed implant.

Impact of 3-year survival rate on treating IIB limb osteosarcoma patients with methotrexate plus DIA chemotherapy regimen

Objecitve To evaluate the impact of adding methotrexate into DIA chemotherapy regimen (cisplatin, theraru-bicin and ifosfamide) on 3-year disease-free and overall survival of patients with IIB osteosarcoma in extremities. Methods Retro-spectively analyzed 34 cases of IIB limb osteosarcoma according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) surgical staging system with pathologically diagnosed concurrent chemotherapy and comprehensive surgical treatment from May 2008 to April 2014. There were 20 males and 14 females, with an average age of 19.5±7.7 years (ranged from 9 to 44 years). 28 patients underwent limb salvage surgery, and 6 patients received amputation. Tumor site included distal femur in 21 patients, proximal tibia in 9 patients, other sites in 4 patients. Seventeen patients underwent cisplatin, THP and ifosfamide (DIA) regimen of chemotherapy. The other 17 patients underwent cisplatin, THP, ifosfamide and methotrexate (MDIA) regimen. Patients charts were reviewed to get demographic data including age, gender, site, tumor size, surgery type, chemotherapy regimen, alkaline phosphatase, lactase dehydrogenase. The prognostic value of these factors on 3 years disease free survival and overall survival were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method and compared with Log-Rank test between different groups in univariate comparison and COX model for multivariate analysis was used to determine whether these demographic factors are independent prognostic factor for survival. Results Two patients had local recurrence, 7 patients had metastasis, and 2 patients had both local recurrence and metastasis. The 3-year survival of the whole group was 67.6% (23/34). Seven patients died during follow-up. The overall survival was 79.4% (27/34). The 3-year disease-free survival in DIA group and MDIA group was 70.6% (12/17) and 64.7% (11/17), respectively. The 3-year overall survival was 82.4% (14/17) and 76.5% (13/17) in DIA group and MDIA group, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in either 3-year disease-free survival (χ2=0.113, P=0.737) or overall survival (χ2=0.197, P=0.657) between DIA and MDIA. Age was significantly correlated with prognostic in univariate analysis (χ2=5.869, P=0.015), while gender, tumor site, tumor size, surgery type, ALP, LDH was not correlated with disease-free survival. Kaplan-meier analysis with Log-Rank test showed age (χ2=6.134, P=0.013) and tumor size (χ2=5.108, P=0.024) were statistically correlated with overall survival. Multivariate analysis with COX model showed that chemotherapy regimen was not an independent prognostic factor for 3-year disease-free survival or overall survival. Age was an independent prognostic factor for 3-year disease-free survival (HR=5.836, P=0.017). Conclusion The addition of MTX on the basis of DIA chemotherapy regimen did not significantly improve the 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival of stage IIB limb osteosarcoma. Key words: Osteosarcoma; Extremities; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Survival rate

Minimising aseptic loosening in extreme bone resections: custom-made tumour endoprostheses with short medullary stems and extra-cortical plates.

Following the resection of an extensive amount of bone in the treatment of a tumour, the residual segment may be insufficient to accept a standard length intramedullary cemented stem. Short-stemmed endoprostheses conceivably have an increased risk of aseptic loosening. Extra-cortical plates have been added to minimise this risk by supplementing fixation. The aim of this study was to investigate the survivorship of short-stemmed endoprostheses and extra-cortical plates. The study involved 37 patients who underwent limb salvage surgery for a primary neoplasm of bone between 1998 and 2013. Endoprosthetic replacement involved the proximal humerus in nine, the proximal femur in nine, the distal femur in 13 and the proximal tibia in six patients. There were 12 primary (32%) and 25 revision procedures (68%). Implant survivorship was compared with matched controls. The amount of bone that was resected was > 70% of its length and statistically greater than the standard control group at each anatomical site. The mean follow-up was seven years (one to 17). The mean length of the stem was 33 mm (20 to 60) in the humerus and 79 mm (34 to 100) in the lower limb. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival of the implant according to anatomical site confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference between the short-stemmed endoprostheses and the standard stemmed controls at the proximal humeral (p = 0.84), proximal femoral (p = 0.57), distal femoral (p = 0.21) and proximal tibial (p = 0.61) sites. In the short-stemmed group, no implants with extra-cortical plate osseointegration suffered loosening at a mean of 8.5 years (range 2 to 16 years). Three of ten (30%) without osseointegration suffered aseptic loosening at a mean of 7.7 years (range 2 to 11.5 years). When extensive resections of bone are required in the surgical management of tumours, and in revision cases, the addition of extra-cortical plates to short medullary stems has shown non-inferiority to standard length medullary stems and minimises aseptic failure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1689-95.

Vascularized fibula with and without extracorporeal radiotherapy for limb salvage surgery in Indian patients

BackgroundReconstruction of segmental bone defects following resection of bone sarcomas is a challenging procedure. Vascularised fibula grafts alone or in combination with extracorporeal radiotherapy and reimplantation of tumor bone have long been established as a method of reconstruction of such defects, with satisfying results. Prompted by paucity of data on Indian patients, we report our experience with vascularised fibula graft for patients undergoing limb salvage surgery for sarcomas of bone. Material and methodsA total of 25 patients underwent the procedure from December 2008 to December 2014. Femur was the commonest site and osteosarcoma was the commonest diagnosis. Intercalary resection was done in 19 patients and arthrodesis in 6 patients. Vascularised fibula was used in combination with extra corporeally irradiated bone in eight patients, and alone in 17 patients. ResultsAll but one limb could be salvaged, and all but three patients had united at final follow up. Combination of extracorporeal radiotherapy and reimplantation with vascularised fibula fared better than vascularised fibula alone in terms of time to union (9.6 months vs 12.2 months) and rate of graft related complications (14.2% vs 62.5%). ConclusionReconstruction with VFG with or without ECRT has a good and predictable functional outcome. Though manageable with active intervention, complications were more commonly seen with vascularised fibula alone than a combination of the two techniques.

Modular cementless prosthetic reconstruction after resection of lower extremity malignant tumor

IntroductionThe aim of the study is to report the preliminary clinical and functional outcomes of a modular cementless tumor resection prosthesis system (Megasystem-C®, Waldemar Link GmbH&Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany) in patients undergoing limb salvage surgery with wide resection in a lower extremity primary or metastatic malignant bone tumor. Material and methodsFifty-two consecutive patients (33 male and 19 female; mean age 37.1 years (range, 16 to 79) with primary or metastatic lower extremity malignant bone tumor who underwent wide resection and reconstruction with cementless Megasystem-C® system were included in the study. Patients were analyzed for age at diagnosis, gender, type and localization of the tumor, time of follow-up, patient and prosthesis survival, complications, oncological and functional outcomes. ResultsMean follow-up time was 43.2 months (range, 8 to 66). Cumulative patient survival rate was 92.3 percent and cumulative prosthetic survival rate was 65.4 percent. 18 complications were recorded and 9 of them required revision (17.3 percent). Mean overall Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score score was 72.7 percent (range, 52 to 86). Subgroup analyzes demonstrated no difference in complication rates, overall patient or prosthetic survivals. Functional scores according to age, diagnosis and location of the reconstruction also were not significantly different. ConclusionThe preliminary short-term follow-up results revealed that, the new generation modular cementless endoprosthetic system offers promising clinical and functional outcomes with reasonable complication rates. Level of evidenceLevel IV, Therapeutic study

A Day at the Office: Political Advocacy and Private Practice

A Day at the Office: Political Advocacy and Private Practice

Risk-Based Therapy for Localized Osteosarcoma.

The outcome of localized osteosarcoma has remained constant over the past 30 years. Histological response to preoperative chemotherapy is the best predictor of outcome. Strategies to alter treatment based on histological response have not resulted in increased survival. Patients with localized osteosarcoma received preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and methotrexate. Patients whose tumors had a good histological response (≥90% necrosis) continued with the same treatment postoperatively. Patients with poor histological response (<90% necrosis) received three courses of melphalan 100 mg/m(2) on day -4, cyclophosphamide 2,000 mg/m(2) on days -3, and -2 followed by stem cell infusion. Fifty-two patients were enrolled. Median age was 14 years, and 56% of patients were male. The femur was the most common site. Forty patients underwent limb salvage surgery and amputation was performed in six patients. Forty-eight percent of tumors showed good histological response. Forty patients were evaluable for outcome; 18 patients with poor histologic response received high-dose chemotherapy. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients treated on the high-dose chemotherapy arm were 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-49) and 48% (95% CI, 23-69), respectively. The 5-year EFS and OS for patients treated on the standard chemotherapy arm were 62% (95% CI, 36-80) and 74% (95% CI, 44-90), respectively. All patients who received high-dose chemotherapy developed grade 3 or higher hematological toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths. Postoperative alkylator intensification with high-dose cyclophosphamide and melphalan in patients with localized osteosarcoma with poor histological response failed to improve survival.

Predictive factors for successful limb salvage surgery in diabetic foot patients.

BackgroundThe goal of salvage surgery in the diabetic foot is maximal preservation of the limb, but it is also important to resect unviable tissue sufficiently to avoid reamputation. This study aims to provide information on determining the optimal amputation level that allows preservation of as much limb length as possible without the risk of further reamputation by analyzing several predictive factors.MethodsBetween April 2004 and July 2013, 154 patients underwent limb salvage surgery for distal diabetic foot gangrene. According to the final level of amputation, the patients were divided into two groups: Patients with primary success of the limb salvage, and patients that failed to heal after the primary limb salvage surgery. The factors predictive of success, including comorbidity, laboratory findings, and radiologic findings were evaluated by a retrospective chart review.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 63.9 years, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1. The mean follow-up duration was 30 months. Statistical analysis showed that underlying renal disease, limited activity before surgery, a low hemoglobin level, a high white blood cell count, a high C-reactive protein level, and damage to two or more vessels on preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiogram were significantly associated with the success or failure of limb salvage. The five-year survival rate was 81.6% for the limb salvage success group and 36.4% for the limb salvage failure group.ConclusionThis study evaluated the factors predictive of the success of limb salvage surgery and identified indicators for preserving as much as possible of the leg of a patient with diabetic foot. This should help surgeons to establish the appropriate amputation level for a case of diabetic foot and help prevent consecutive operations.

Pediatric osteosarcoma: a single institution's experience.

The aim of the study was to evaluate outcomes with an examination of individual predictors influencing survival at a single institution. This was a retrospective review of the 28 pediatric osteosarcoma patients diagnosed and studied from 2000 through 2012. Twenty-eight patient charts and imaging studies were reviewed for age, race, sex, location, extent of disease at presentation, imaging results, histology, treatment options, and overall survival. Of the 28 patients who were identified, the median age at diagnosis was 14 years. The majority of the patients were male African Americans with the tumor located in the lower long bones and most had conventional osteosarcoma histology. Four patients had metastasis at diagnosis. Of the 28 patients, 16 patients underwent limb salvage surgery, 6 underwent amputation, 4 had biopsy only, 1 had hip disarticulation, and 1 moved out of state and had no information available. All 28 patients received chemotherapy. Four patients received additional radiation therapy. On follow-up, 15 patients were still alive at last clinical contact and 13 died. Of the deceased, the median survival time was 2.3 years. The patient who lived the longest survived 8.3 years. Metastasis at diagnosis was associated with poorer outcome (P = 0.002). The 5-year overall survival rate was 40% (95% confidence interval 18-62) for our entire population of patients. Survival in our patient cohort tended to be at the lower end of the spectrum reported by other contemporary treatment centers of excellence or Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases probably because of the large number of African American patients with associated poor socioeconomic status. Future studies should be conducted to explore biological and nonbiological factors that may affect the prognosis in this disease.

Limb Sparing Surgery

BACKGROUND Endoprosthetic reconstruction for bone tumor surgery was introduced in the 1970s. It has since evolved to be a successful and acceptable method of reconstruction and has become the gold standard of treatment. At present, 85% of patients will undergo limb salvage surgery with survival ranging from 60% to 90%. PURPOSE The complexity of bone sarcomas and limb-sparing surgery is discussed beginning with the initial presentation of the sarcoma patient. Limb-sparing surgery is depicted from initial exposure and removal of the diseased bone, placement of endoprosthetic, and presentation of patient postoperatively. A graphical portrayal is given to outline a stepwise and multidisciplinary approach when treating bone tumor patients. The discussion also includes postoperative care following surgery. Key aspects of nursing care are outlined. Management of patients with bone tumors involves a multidisciplinary team experienced in diagnostics, chemotherapy, and surgery. The priorities for patient and family education are highlighted. EVALUATION/OUTCOMES There are an increasing number of surgical options available for orthopedic oncology. Research has shown little difference between amputation and those who undergo limb-sparing surgery in overall quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated no adverse effect on local recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing limb salvage surgery compared with those undergoing amputation. Realistic expectations and thorough multidisciplinary patient/family education contribute to optimistic end results. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nursing considerations in the management of patients undergoing limb-sparing surgery begin prior to and reach beyond the immediate postoperative period. Patient/family education includes expectations and limitations, emotional support, pain management, and progression of activity. A multidisciplinary approach with nursing, oncology, orthopedic surgery, pain management, physical therapy, and occupational therapy contribute to a successful management plan. The importance of compliance and continued support after discharge is integral to achieving a positive outcome. DISCUSSION Moradi et al. found no difference in the disease-free and overall survival outcomes when amputation was compared with limb salvage in 447 patients treated for a pathological fracture of a malignant bone tumor. In a study done by Henderson et al., data correlate with previous scores and indicate a high degree of emotional acceptance after limb salvage with an expandable endoprosthesis in a pediatric population.

Role and significance of sentinel lymph node biopsy for the treatment of melanoma of the extremities

To evaluate the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the treatment of melanoma of the extremities. From April 2007 to August 2013, forty-eight (25 men and 23 women) cases of melanoma of the extremities underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. All the cases had sentinel lymph node biopsy and surgery. Among them 37 cases underwent limb salvage surgery, while 11 cases underwent amputation. Of the cases with limb salvage, 28 cases underwent free skin grafting or local flap grafting reconstruction after wide resection. Of the surgical margin, wide resection was performed in 37 patients, and radical resection was performed in 11 cases. There were 39 cases in stage I or II, and 9 cases in stage III. After the surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 9 cases, and adjuvant biotherapy of interferon and interleukin was performed in 26 cases. Except for 2 cases, 46 cases were followed up with a mean follow-up period of 20.1 months (range from 2 to 60 months). 39 (81.3%) cases had negative SLNB, while 9 (18.8%) cases had positive SLNB. Recurrence or metastasis was more common in those with positive SLNB (3 of 9 cases, 33.3%) compared with those with negative SLNB (4 of 39 cases, 10.3%). The median disease-free survival of patients with negative results was 19.5 months, significantly longer than that of the positive cases (9.5 months, P = 0.03). Otherwise, sex and age showed no significant difference in the disease free survivals. Sentinel lymph node biopsy enables us to have a better understanding of regional lymph node status through lymphoscintigraphy. It improves the accuracy of staging and provides valuable prognostic information to guide subsequent treatment decisions.

Phase I Trial of Preoperative Chemoradiation plus Sorafenib for High-Risk Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas with Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Correlates

We conducted a phase I trial of the addition of sorafenib to a chemoradiotherapy regimen in patients with high-risk (intermediate/high grade, >5 cm) extremity soft tissue sarcoma undergoing limb salvage surgery. We conducted a correlative study of quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to assess response to treatment. Patients were treated at increasing dose levels of sorafenib (200 mg daily, 400 mg daily, 400 mg twice daily) initiated 14 days before three preoperative and three postoperative cycles of epirubicin/ifosfamide. Radiation (28 Gy) was administered during cycle 2 with epirubicin omitted. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of sorafenib. DCE-MRI was conducted at baseline, after 2 weeks of sorafenib, and before surgery. The imaging data were subjected to quantitative pharmacokinetic analyses. Eighteen subjects were enrolled, of which 16 were evaluable. The MTD of sorafenib was 400 mg daily. Common grade 3-4 adverse events included neutropenia (94%), hypophosphatemia (75%), anemia (69%), thrombocytopenia (50%), and neutropenic fever/infection (50%). Of note, 38% developed wound complications requiring surgical intervention. The rate of ≥95% histopathologic tumor necrosis was 44%. Changes in DCE-MRI biomarker ΔK(trans) after 2 weeks of sorafenib correlated with histologic response (R(2) = 0.67, P = 0.012) at surgery. The addition of sorafenib to preoperative chemoradiotherapy is feasible and warrants further investigation in a larger trial. DCE-MRI detected changes in tumor perfusion after 2 weeks of sorafenib and may be a minimally invasive tool for rapid assessment of drug effect in soft tissue sarcoma.

Telangiectatic Osteosarcoma

To review records of 8 patients with telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) and determine whether pathologic fractures correlate with recurrence and survival. Records of 4 men and 4 women aged 17 to 44 (mean, 28) years treated for TOS were reviewed. RESULTS; Of the 8 patients, 4 developed a pathologic fracture and 4 did not. In each group, 2 patients underwent limb salvage surgery and 2 underwent amputation. All patients received neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of at least 2 of the following drugs: doxorubicin, methotrexate, cisplatin, and vincristin. After a mean follow-up of 5.6 (range, 2-16) years, all 4 patients with a pathologic fracture and 2 of the 4 patients without a pathologic fracture were still alive and disease-free. For the remaining patients, one died after 31 months from progression of a lung metastasis, and the other was alive with the disease and had had 2 recurrences, a lung metastasis, and an infection with Klebsiella oxytoca that eventually led to an amputation. The presence of a pathologic fracture in patients with TOS was not associated with worse outcome in terms of recurrence and survival.

The Mangled Foot and Ankle

To determine the outcome of the mangled foot and ankle undergoing limb salvage surgery that required free tissue flaps for wound closure compared with a similar patient foot and ankle injury group that underwent early below knee amputation (BKA). : Prospective longitudinal study. : Eight level 1 trauma centers. LEAP (Lower Extremity Assessment Project) study. One hundred seventy-four open severely injured hindfoot or ankle injuries (116 had salvage; 58 had a BKA). Patients either required immediate amputation or salvage was attempted. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) was the principal measure of outcome (higher SIP scores equal greater disability). Secondary outcomes included walking speed, number of rehospitalizations for injury-related complications, time to full weight-bearing, the visual analog pain scale, and return to work at 2 years. When compared to patients treated with standard BKA, salvage patients who required free flaps and/or ankle arthrodesis had significantly worse 2-year outcomes. They had overall SIP scores that were 2.5 points higher and psychosocial SIP scores that were 8.4 points higher at 24 months (P = 0.014 and P = 0.013, respectively). Physical SIP scores were 3.7 points higher in the free flap and/or arthrodesis group but only approached statistical significance (P = 0.10). After adjusting for the need for free flap and/or arthrodesis, the salvage pathway had clinically, but not statistically, significantly better overall and psychosocial SIP scores than the standard BKA patients (P = 0.34 and P = 0.20, respectively). : Patients with severe foot and ankle injuries who require free tissue transfer or ankle fusion have SIP outcomes that are significantly worse than BKA with typical skin flap design closure. Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Limb salvage surgery for malignant tumors of the proximal tibia involving the fibula

Objective To investigate technique,effect,complications of limb salvage surgery for malignant tumors of the proximal tibia involving the fibula.Methods Between November 1998 and February 2010,32 patients with malignant tumors of the proximal tibia involving the fibula underwent limb salvage surgery in our institute.There were 21 males and 11 females,aged from 10 to 66 years (average,23.4years).There were 23 cases of osteosarcoma,5 cases of chondrosarcoma,1 case of malignant giant cell tumor,and 3 cases of soft tissue sarcoma.All patients received en bloc resection of tumor including proximal tibia and fibula.During operations,ligation of anterior tibial vessels was performed in 14 patients,anastomosis of posterior tibial vessels in 1 patient,both ligation of anterior tibial vessels and anastomosis or replacement of posterior tibial vessels in 5 patients.The common peroneal nerve was resected in 4 patients,and the deep peroneal nerve was resected in 5 patients.The reconstruction methods included prosthetic replacement in 24 patients,replacement with inactivated autograft-prosthesis composite in 5 patients,and replacement with inactivated autograft in 3 patients.The caput mediale musculi gastrocnemii flap was transferred to reconstruct soft tissue defect in 14 patients,while caput laterale musculi gastrocnemii flap was transferred in 1patient.Results All patients were followed up for 11 to 159 months (average,39.4 months).Local recurrence occurred in 6 patients (18.8％).The overall 5-year survival rate was 51.2％.Fourteen patients died of tumor metastasis,2 survived with tumor,and 16 patients survived without tumor.Variant complications occurred in 15 patients (46.9％).The complications included ischemia of the lower leg in 4 patients,peroneal nerve palsy in 12 patients (permanent palsy in 9 patients and temporary palsy in 3 patients),wound healing problem in 4 patients,deep infection in 1 patient,and periprosthetic fracture in 1 patient.The mean MSTS 93 score was 21.6 points (72％).Conculusion The indications of limb salvage surgery for malignant tumors of the proximal tibia involving the fibula should be restricted.Although complications are encountered frequently,most patients have acceptable postoperative function. Key words: Tibia; Fibula; Bone neoplasms; Extremities; Salvage therapy

Amputation for extremity soft tissue sarcoma does not increase overall survival: A retrospective cohort study

To determine if amputation increases survival when compared to limb salvage surgery in patients with a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity when there is often a misconception among physicians and patients that ablative surgery eliminates local recurrence and increases overall survival. This retrospective cohort study assessed 278 patients with STS and compared 18 patients who had undergone amputations for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities to a comparative cohort of 260 patients who underwent limb salvage surgery during the same time period. Our limb salvage surgery (LSS) rate was 94% overall for soft tissue sarcomas with a median follow-up of 3.1 years. Patients undergoing amputations either had tumors that involved a critical neurovascular bundle (in particular nerve rather than vessel resection was more responsible for a decision toward ablation), or underlying bone or had neoplasms whose large size would require such an enormous resection that a functional limb would not remain. In comparing prognostic effects, mainly death due to sarcoma, distant metastasis and local recurrence, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between patients undergoing amputation to those undergoing limb salvage surgery (p > 0.05). While amputations do not increase overall survival in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity as compared to LSS, they are still a valuable option in a surgeon's arsenal. In particular, amputations can provide improved local control and symptomatic treatment in patients who might not be candidates for limb salvage surgery.