[Functional evaluation of the preserved limb following resection of osteosarcoma and malignant bone tumors]

Studies were done on functional evaluation of limb salvage for malignant bone tumors treated in our hospital (32 cases), and for osteosarcomas treated in 21 institutes throughout Japan (104 cases). These two groups were compared in order to clarify the characteristics and problems of limb-saving surgery for osteosarcoma. The international functional evaluation system was used and scores given according to the grading, i.e. excellent 5; good, 3; fair, 1; poor; 0. All cases were statistically studied by grouping of the term of follow-up, i.e., less than 2 years, 2 to 3 years, and over 3 years. As a result, the most decisive factor in the evaluation was found to be motion, which was mainly correlated with the degree of resection and the method of reconstruction. Characteristics in osteosarcoma were that the 2-3-year group acquired the highest score, although, in the 3-years and over group, evaluation scores fell because of prosthesis trouble. Emotional acceptance was lower in osteosarcoma patients. It was especially though that since limb-saving has a major premise of life-saving, saving of a limb should be considered from the viewpoint of life-usefulness.