THE ROLE OF MICROVASCULAR SURGERY IN LIMB-SPARING PROCEDURES FOR MALIGNANT-TUMORS OF THE KNEE

Limb-sparing surgery has proven to be a feasible alternative to amputa tion for treatment of malignant tumors about the knee. Microvascular s urgery and the possibility of providing healthy, stable soft-tissue co verage to the affected limb have expanded the possible role of limb-sp aring techniques. Microvascular free flaps were utilized in 26 patient s undergoing resection for large malignant tumors of the knee or adjac ent 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 fu nction. Survival and disease-free interval were 68 and 77 percent, res pectively, in stage II patients and only 50 and 0 percent, respectivel y, in stage III patients. Function, as determined by the MSTS function al evaluation system, was found to be fair to good in all patients. Mi crovascular free-tissue transfer has proven to be a valuable adjunct i n limb-sparing surgery.