Sarcoma metastases due to iatrogenic implantation

Aim: To demonstrate the ability of extremity soft tissue sat-comas (STSs) t o implant into tissues exposed during surgery. Methods: We use two cases to illustrate that wounds created during surgery for STS, including donor sites for skin grafts. pedicled and free Naps and blood vessels used in reconstruction, should be regarded as potential sites of quasi-local recurrence Conclusions: This report reinforces the need for meticulous surgical techni que and planning of procedures to avoid contamination of clean areas that m ight not be included in adjuvant radiotherapy fields. The cases also highli ght the pivotal importance of the correct initial management of these uncom mon tumours. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.