MALIGNANT FIBROUS HISTIOCYTOMA OF THE HAND - MULTIMODAL THERAPY AND EXTENSOR TENDON RECONSTRUCTION

A patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the dorsum of the han d, managed with irradiation and wide local excision, is presented. Bio psy technique, the rationale for preoperative irradiation, and the det ails of extensor tendon reconstruction are discussed. Tendon grafts, r ather than transfers, were used to reconstruct the extensor tendon def ects. Although this approach is simple, little is known regarding the healing of irradiated tendons or the use of dynamic splinting protocol s in this setting. Our patient experienced no difficulty with either t endon healing or early dynamic splinting and achieved an acceptable ra nge of motion.