Surgical phocomelia is an alternative to amputation in some sarcomas

Surgical phocomelia is an alternative to amputation in patients with sarcomas when other reconstruction methods are not possible of the upper extremity, according to a study.

In this study, 11 patients with sarcomas of the upper limb underwent surgical phocomelia or phoco-reduction between 2010 and 2019, were followed for a mean period of 27.8 months.

Segmental resection, including the entire humerus, was required in 5 patients and segmental resection around the elbow with a mean resection length of 21.5 cm was undertaken in 6 patients. A good functional outcome was observed with a Mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 score of 22. On the side that was operated on, the mean handgrip strength was 62% of the contralateral side; useful hand function was preserved. The mean time to humeroulnar union was 6.7 months.

Radial nerve palsy occurred in 1 patient and implant failure occurred in one patient.

None of the participants developed local recurrence while 3 died of metastasis.

Reference
Kapoor L, Banjara R, Kumar VS, Khan SA. Surgical phocomelia or phoco-reduction as a method of limb salvage for sarcomas of the upper limb: A suitable alternative to amputation. J Surg Oncol. 2021 Oct 2. doi: 10.1002/jso.26704. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34599761.