Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Surgical Angiogenesis in Porcine Tibial Allotransplantation: A New Large Animal Bone Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Model
Published on: August 13, 2017
Use of Cryopreserved Arterial Allografts as a Reconstruction Strategy in Peripheral Sarcoma Surgery
Valérie Lacroix1, Wiwili Anaïs Metonga2, Pierre-Louis Docquier3
1Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium; Institut Roi Albert II, Cancérologie et Hématologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium; Secteur des Sciences de la Santé, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Background:
Complete resection of lower limb soft tissue sarcoma may require vascular resection and reconstruction. While prosthetic grafts and autologous saphenous veins are commonly employed, superior patency has been described for autologous veins. However, their use implies harvesting, mostly on the contralateral limb. Limited data exist on the use of cryopreserved arterial allografts for such vascular replacement.
Methods:
We report a retrospective series of 11 patients with locally aggressive extremity sarcomas undergoing 20 vascular resections and reconstructions with cryopreserved arterial allografts over a 5-year period. A total of 10 arteries and 10 veins were reconstructed. The mean tumor length on resected specimen was 15.4 cm, with the thigh being the most frequent site of resection. Six patients required additional osseous reconstruction with mega-implants or bone allograft.
Results:
Limb salvage was achieved in 91% of patients. One amputation was necessary because of untreatable infection following fracture of a bone allograft in an irradiated area. The 1-year secondary arterial patency was 78%, with one graft requiring revision due to a mechanical friction on a mega-implant. The 1-year venous patency was 69%.
Conclusion:
Our series represents the first homogeneous cohort treated with cryopreserved arterial allografts for vascular reconstruction in sarcoma surgery, showing favorable outcomes despite extensive resection characteristics. Their use avoids contralateral limb morbidity and offers promising patency and limb-salvage outcomes.
