Pedicle flaps after sarcoma resection offer more benefits over free flaps

Lower extremities skin defects following sarcoma resection can be covered using a single pedicle flap, according to a study which found pedicle flaps resulted in less blood loss, shorter surgical time, and lower risk of total flap necrosis compared to free flaps.

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 24 patients with soft-tissue sarcoma who underwent reconstruction using a pedicle (n = 20) or free flap (n = 4) following wide tumor resection were included.

Skin defects of the knee were covered by up to 525 cm2; lower leg by up to 325 cm2; and ankle by up to 234 cm2. Patients in the free flap group had significantly greater blood loss compared to patients in the pedicle flap group. Surgical time was significantly shorter in patients receiving pedicle flap compared to free flap. One patient in the free flap group had total necrosis.

Reference
Hasegawa H, Tsukamoto S, Honoki K, et al. Soft-tissue reconstruction after soft-tissue sarcoma resection: the clinical outcomes of 24 patients. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2021;doi: 10.1007/s00590-021-02901-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33608754.