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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 9/2006

01-09-2006

The Effect of Preoperative Radiotherapy and Reconstructive Surgery on Wound Complications after Resection of Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Authors: Jennifer F. Tseng, MD, Matthew T. Ballo, MD, Howard N. Langstein, MD, Jeffrey D. Wayne, MD, Janice N. Cormier, MD, MPH, Kelly K. Hunt, MD, Barry W. Feig, MD, Alan W. Yasko, MD, Valerae O. Lewis, MD, Patrick P. Lin, MD, Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Gunar K. Zagars, MD, Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, Peter W. T. Pisters, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 9/2006

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Abstract

Background

Major wound complications (MWCs) are frequent after preoperative radiotherapy (RT) for extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). We examined the rate of MWCs at a single institution with readily available reconstructive surgery.

Methods

The medical records of consecutively treated extremity STS patients treated with preoperative external-beam RT and surgical resection from June 1996 through February 2003 were reviewed. Patients underwent RT (median 50 Gy), followed by resection 4–8 weeks later. Patients believed to be at higher risk for MWC underwent wound closure by the reconstructive surgery service (RSS). MWCs included secondary operation, invasive procedure, hospital readmission, or persistent deep packing or dressing changes.

Results

A total of 173 patients underwent preoperative RT. Median age was 54 years; 51% were female; 80% had lower extremity STS. Wound closure was performed by the primary surgeon in 91 cases (53%). The RSS performed wound closure in the remaining 82 patients (47%). One or more MWCs occurred in 55 patients (32%). Wound complications were more likely in patients with lower extremity (49/138, 36%) than upper extremity (6/35, 17%) STS (P = 0.03). Among patients with lower-risk wounds closed by the primary surgical team, 29 (32%) experienced MWC, whereas in the higher-risk patients closed by the RSS, MWC occurred in 26 (32%).

Conclusions

MWCs are frequent after preoperative RT and occur more commonly in patients with lower extremity tumors. The MWC rate observed in a single-institution setting was comparable to that observed in the preoperative therapy arm of a multicenter Canadian trial. Patients believed to be at higher risk for MWCs undergoing RSS closure have MWC rates comparable to those with lower-risk wounds closed by the primary team.
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Metadata
Title
The Effect of Preoperative Radiotherapy and Reconstructive Surgery on Wound Complications after Resection of Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcomas
Authors
Jennifer F. Tseng, MD
Matthew T. Ballo, MD
Howard N. Langstein, MD
Jeffrey D. Wayne, MD
Janice N. Cormier, MD, MPH
Kelly K. Hunt, MD
Barry W. Feig, MD
Alan W. Yasko, MD
Valerae O. Lewis, MD
Patrick P. Lin, MD
Christopher P. Cannon, MD
Gunar K. Zagars, MD
Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD
Peter W. T. Pisters, MD
Publication date
01-09-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 9/2006
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-006-9028-6

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