RECONSTRUCTIVE VASCULAR-SURGERY IN ROTATIONPLASTY FOR MALIGNANT-TUMORS OF THE FEMUR

The rotationplasty procedure of the femur, as first described by Borrg reve, is the functional improvement of an abnormally shortened lower l imb. In the last 15 years this procedure has been used in its original form and as modification for tumors of the femur and proximal tibia. The reconstruction of the femoral vessels as an important part of the operation has not enough been accentuated. principally two types of re constructions can be performed: the Vessels are dissected in the adduc tor canal or a segmental resection and reanastomosis are performed. Be tween January 1990 and April 1993 classical and modified rotationplast ies were performed for malignant tumors in 34 patients in our institut ion. In ah cases a segmental femoral Vessel resection with end-to-end anastomosis were performed. No intra- and postoperative Vascular relat ed complications occurred. The authors emphasize the advantage of this method: reanastomosing resected femoral vessels by experienced vascul ar surgeons is a save, time-saving method. In addition, the radicality of the operation increases in order to obtain excellent long term res ults.