Outcomes of Vascular Resection and Reconstruction in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Bone Tumors

This study aimed to evaluate and analyze the feasibility and the oncological and functional outcomes of limb salvage surgery in extremity soft tissue sarcomas (ESTS) and bone tumors invading vessels.

This single-center retrospective analysis included patients with ESTS encasing or invading major blood vessels that were treated by limb salvage surgery with vascular resection and reconstruction between January 1995 and December 2019. Patients with contiguous involvement of major blood vessels and nerves and patients requiring amputation were excluded from the study.

A total of 24 vessels (14 arteries and 10 veins) in 14 patients were reconstructed. Ten (71.4%) patients underwent both arterial and venous reconstruction, and four (28.6%) underwent only arterial reconstruction. Reconstruction was performed with a reversed saphenous vein (RSV) graft in 12 patients and with a synthetic graft (SG) in the other 12 patients. At a median follow-up of 27 months, RSV grafts were patent in 10 of 12 (83.3%) vessels and SGs were patent in 6 of 12 (50.0%) vessels (log-rank test, P=0.083). Out of 14 arteries and 10 veins, 11 arteries and 5 veins were patent, respectively. No patient developed local recurrence, and 2 (14.3%) patients developed distant metastases. Limb salvage rate was 13/14 (92.9%). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 83.3%. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 80% and 50%, respectively.

Limb salvage surgery in ESTS with vascular resection and reconstruction is feasible and provides favorable oncological and functional outcomes.