title: The role of microvascular surgery in limb-sparing procedures for malignant tumors of the knee.
abstract: Limb-sparing surgery has proven to be a feasible alternative to amputation for treatment of malignant tumors about the knee. Microvascular surgery and the possibility of providing healthy, stable soft-tissue coverage to the affected limb have expanded the possible role of limb-sparing techniques. Microvascular free flaps were utilized in 26 patients undergoing resection for large malignant tumors of the knee or adjacent to the knee. Patients were then followed for a minimum of 3 years to a maximum of 7 years and evaluated for tumor recurrence and limb function. Survival and disease-free interval were 68 and 77 percent, respectively, in stage II patients and only 50 and 0 percent, respectively, in stage III patients. Function, as determined by the MSTS functional evaluation system, was found to be fair to good in all patients. Microvascular free-tissue transfer has proven to be a valuable adjunct in limb-sparing surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kenan
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hausman
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Vickery
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bloom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*