Technical aspects in sarcoma surgery - a surgical survey among surgeons at sarcoma centers in Germany and Switzerland

Surgery is a substantial pillar of extremity sarcoma treatment. There are no standardized, evidence-based strategies to perform a wide R0 resection which is recommended by international and German guidelines. The aim of this study was to use a standardized questionnaire combined with a semi-structured interview to survey the reality of surgical care in German and Swiss sarcoma centers and establish a rationale for future prospective studies to improve postoperative outcome and oncological quality in extremity sarcoma surgery.

The questionnaire was developed based on a real case of a 32-year-old female patient with a locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma of the proximal thigh. We invited surgeons who were currently treating patients with extremity sarcomas at German and Swiss sarcoma centers.

15 of 24 (62.5%) invited surgeons participated. Participants had a broad type of surgical training and specialization (e.g. general surgery n = 5, special visceral surgery n = 4, orthopedics and trauma surgery n = 8, vascular surgery n = 2, plastic surgery n = 3). Significant differences (agreement of less than 50%) were found in the planned resection margin at the skin level, the resection planes in other tissues and strategies towards critical structures such as nerves and vessels. Similarities (agreement above 80%) were found in regard to the placement of suction drains and subcutaneous closure.

The current survey shows relevant differences in surgical techniques among sarcoma surgeons at certified sarcoma centers. It is unclear to what extent these differences influence surgical morbidity and oncological outcome. Further studies should be planned to optimize and standardize sarcoma surgery.