The Use of ECMO and Free-Fillet-Leg Flap for Complex Pelvic Reconstruction: A Case Report

Advanced sarcoma treatment in complex anatomical regions such as the pelvis poses significant surgical challenges. This report details a case involving a 35-year-old man with recurrent osteosarcoma of the left hemipelvis, who underwent a 16 h surgery for hemipelvectomy and reconstruction using a free tibia and fibula fillet leg flap. The procedure, necessitated by an infected, exposed iliac prosthesis, utilized extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for 8 h to maintain flap viability. The flap, incorporating tibia, fibula, and associated musculature was successfully inset and anastomosed to the left common iliac artery and vein, with additional venous anastomosis to the right iliac vein. Despite postoperative challenges such as venous stasis and intestinal ischemia, necessitating further surgical interventions, the patient achieved mobility with a walker at 3 months post-surgery, with stable conditions observed during a 2 years follow-up. ECMO enabled successful preservation and integration of the free fillet leg flap, demonstrating its potential in complex reconstructive surgeries. Specifically, ECMO may extend free flap viability in complex cases, offering new possibilities for challenging oncological and reconstructive surgeries.