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Semin Plast Surg 2010; 24(1): 018-033
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253240
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Limb Salvage in Malignant Tumors

Hans-Ulrich Steinau1 , Adrien Daigeler1 , Stefan Langer1 , Lars Steinsträsser1 , Jörg Hauser1 , Ole Goertz1 , Markus Lehnhardt1
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Sarcoma Reference Center, BG–University Hospital “Bergmannsheil,” Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 May 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Limb-sparing resection and reconstruction has become the treatment of choice in extremity malignancies, as amputation does not provide better long-term survival rates or functional advantages. R0 resection, the removal of the tumor in sano, remains the prerequisite and most important oncologic parameter to avoid local recurrence. Successful treatment requires the combination of surgical eradication and the patient's specific functional and aesthetic rehabilitation. Our clinical rationale resulting from more than 2000 cases will be demonstrated. The problematic aspects of different tumor entities and the locoregional clearance of lymphatic pathways will be discussed. Differential diagnosis and multimodality treatment in high-volume tumor centers is likely to achieve superior oncologic statistics. Long-term survivors after microsurgical reconstructions and possible secondary malignancies will be addressed.

KEYWORDS

Microsurgery in limb oncology - resection and functional reconstruction - tendon transfer in the lower extremity - soft tissue sarcoma - secondary malignancies in long-term survivors

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Hans-Ulrich SteinauM.D. 

Head, Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Sarcoma Reference Center, BG–University Hospital “Bergmannsheil,” Ruhr-University Bochum

Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany

Email: hans-ulrich.steinau@bergmannsheil.de

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