Limb saving surgery in bone tumours: experiences in Hungary

A retrospective clinical review of 28 low- and 47 high-grade bone tumours, managed by limb salvage operations, was performed in the Orthopaedics Department of the Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest. The mean follow-up period was 37.2 months. Ten bone tumours were classified as stage I/A, 18 as I/B, 16 as II/A and 31 as II/B. The overall 3 years survival rate was 97% in low-grade bone tumours, 84% in osteosarcomas and 50% in Ewing's sarcomas. Local recurrences were observed in 14%. Tumour prostheses were implanted in 25 patients (33%); 2 complications in this material were seen. In 50 patients resection and reconstruction with autografts or allografts were performed; 13 complications (26%) were registered in 9 patients. These results suggest that limb saving surgery is an acceptable method in selected cases of early recognized bone tumours which respond well to the chemotherapy.