Anterior compartment resection of the thigh in soft-tissue sarcomas.
OBJECTIVE
Soft-tissue sarcomas of the anterior thigh present technical problems due to the proximity of the femoral vessels, and the disability caused by a standard anterior compartment resection.


METHODS
We treated 44 consecutive patients with primary sarcomas in the anterior thigh with wide resection (n = 15), and modified (n = 26) or standard (n = 3) compartment resection. No patient had amputation as primary treatment.


RESULTS
The overall rate of local recurrence was 6/44 (14%). Local recurrence was observed in 1/3 patients with standard anterior compartment resection and 5/41 (12%) of those with wide excision or modified compartment resection. It was noted in 1/6 (17%) patients with adjuvant radiation and 5/38 (13%) of those treated with surgery alone. One of six patients with local recurrence required amputation. The 5-year survival rate was 66% varying significantly according to grade.


CONCLUSIONS
Limb preservation was possible in 98% of patients. Wide resection or modified compartment resection was feasible in the majority (93%) of patients resulting in improved function.
Karakousis
C P
CP
State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Kontzoglou
K
K
Driscoll
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome