[Limb-sparing surgical treatment in osteosarcoma]

From 1998 we performed limb-sparing surgery in 6 patients with osteosarcoma. No evidence of disease or local recurrence was noted in any of the patients after a mean follow-up period of 13 months. Age at the time of operation ranged from 8 to 14 years. Wide resection margins were achieved in all patients. The results of functional evaluation according to Enneking were excellent in 5 cases and poor in one. Bony defects created by limb-sparing procedures may be reconstructed by many methods. In growing children, limb-sparing surgery needs special consideration to avoid later limb-length discrepancy and expandable prostheses have been used to anticipate this problem.