[Soft-tissue sarcoma of the forearm and hand. Plastic surgical management]

Radical tumor resection (R0) is the main therapeutic goal in the treatment of sarcomas of the forearm and hand. Plastic reconstructive procedures play a key role in limb salvage by coverage of complex defects. Sophisticated reconstructive techniques are required with the forearm and hand. Twenty patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the hand and forearm were treated in our department between January 1995 and January 2005. Eleven were male and nine were female. The average age was 48 years. The most common tumor was myxoid fibrous histiocytoma, followed by synovial cell sarcoma. Six patients received free microvascular transplantations to cover their defects. Mesh graft or primary closure was possible in three cases; one patient received a local flap and one a pedicled flap. In nine cases preserving the limb was not possible. Ten patients received radiation and four got chemotherapy (two with neoadjuvant chemotherapy). In 18 cases histologic R0 resection was possible, in two cases R1 resection. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence after R0 resection. The average follow-up-time was 42 months. These results show the necessity of plastic surgical reconstruction of the forearm and hand as an integral component of modern sarcoma therapy. Multidisciplinary cooperation is mandatory for adequate treatment.