title: Segmental amputation for recurrent malignant bone tumors of the distal femur.
abstract: We describe an alternative method for lengthening a short femoral stump after wide amputation of a malignant bone tumor of the distal femur in two patients. The method consists of two procedures during the operation. The first procedure is amputation of the affected cylindrical segment of the involved limb. The second procedure is elongation of the amputation stump using the tumor-free segment of the ipsilateral lower leg as a free composite osseous myocutaneous graft. Both patients had good function and were satisfied with the results with no complications or tumor recurrence 4 years postoperatively. We think the segmental amputation is a good procedure that results in a longer functional stump in patients who have above-knee amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yuan's General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Song-Hsiung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Gau-Tyan
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ming-Nan
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Sen-Yuen
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D013524:Surgical Flaps