Wound complications common after radiotherapy followed by resection in patients with soft tissue sarcoma
In patients with soft tissue sarcoma who undergo preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgical resection, there is a significant incidence of wound complications, according to a study.
Factors such as age, tumor size, and tumor site were identified as risk factors for these complications.
The study retrospectively analyzed 126 cases of soft tissue sarcomas. Wound complications were categorized as minor wound complications (MiWC) not necessitating surgical intervention, or major wound complications (MaWC) if they required secondary surgical intervention.
Overall, 43.7% (55/126) of patients experienced some form of wound complication, with 19% (24/126) classified as MaWC. Age, tumor size, and tumor site, specifically proximal lower limb versus upper limb, emerged as significant risk factors on multivariate analysis.
In a nested case control analysis focusing on MaWC cases, it was observed that the mean recovery time was 143 days. Smoking was found to be a risk factor for MaWC. In addition, the time interval between surgery and the onset of wound complications was found to influence the risk of MaWC, with a reduced odds ratio of 0.91 in multivariate analysis.
Reference
Ouyang Z, Trent S, McCarthy C, et al. The incidence, risk factors and outcomes of wound complications after preoperative radiotherapy and surgery for high grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas: A 14-year retrospective study. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023;49(11):107086. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.107086. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37741042.
