Reconstructive considerations for limb salvage surgery

Tumors in the musculoskeletal system are generally treated surgically, although radiation therapy and chemotherapy have greatly improved survival statistics of patients with high-grade sarcomas of the musculoskeletal system. The mainstay in treatment of nearly every primary tumor of the musculoskeletal system is surgical resection for cure. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy continue to be important adjuvants in the overall management of musculoskeletal tumors. Functional limb salvage following radical resection is now possible in most resectable cases by placement of an alloplastic prosthesis, homograft, or autogenous bone for skeletal reconstitution, followed by well-vascularized soft-tissue coverage.