Background/aim: Reconstruction for soft-tissue sarcomas is complex and often uses soft-tissue flaps. To preserve critical structures, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) can be used to boost the total dose to these critical structures and close margins; however, there are limited data on the outcome of soft-tissue reconstruction in patients treated with IORT.
Patients and methods: Twenty patients received IORT with soft-tissue flap coverage. There were 14 tumors of the lower extremities and six of the upper, including seven free-flaps and 13 pedicle flaps. Mean preoperative and IORT doses were 49.4 Gy and 10.4 Gy, respectively, with a mean total dose of 59.8 Gy.
Results: Seven (35%) patients had a complication, most commonly an infection (n=4, 27%). Total flap loss occurred in one treated with pedicle flap. Four (20%) patients suffered a radiation-associated fracture. At the final follow-up, the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 75±11%.
Conclusion: Complications and postoperative fractures were common with IORT, however, there were no cases requiring amputation.
Keywords: IORT; Intraoperative radiotherapy; flap; limb salvage; soft-tissue reconstruction.
Copyright © 2020 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.