Limb salvage in aggressive and malignant tumours of the fibula

We treated 25 patients with aggressive and malignant fibular tumours between April 1989 and May 2001. There were 11 osteosarcomas, seven Ewing's sarcoma and five chondrosarcomas. The tumours predominantly involved the upper one third; 16 were of Stage IIB. Neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy were given to all patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. In 20 patients, surgical margins were wide and in three radical. Mean follow-up was 71 (26-168) months. Local recurrences were met with in three patients requiring amputation. Three patients died of disease and one was lost to follow-up. Functional outcome was excellent in 12 patients and good in seven. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of patient and limb are reported based on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.