[Surgical management of limb salvage for osteogenic malignant tumors around knees].

OBJECTIVE: To probe a satisfactory surgical management of the limb salvage for osteogenic malignant tumors around the knees.

METHODS: From January 1989 to December 2001, 42 patients (19 males and 18 females, aged 12-46) with osteogenic malignant tumors around the knees underwent surgical management of the limb salvage, including prosthesis replacement, allogenous bone grafting, and bone cement with adriamycin filled. Based on the pathological examination, osteosarcoma was found in 11 patients, synoviosarcoma in 4 patients, malignant fibrous histiocytoma in 3 patients, and giant cell tumor of the bone in 19 patients. All the patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy for 1-2 courses before operation except the patients with giant cell tumor of the bone. The patients underwent prosthesis replacement, allogenous bone grafting, bone cement with adriamycin filled, and postoperative chemotherapy. By the Enneking evaluating system, the patients were assessed on their reconstructed limb functions after the reconstructive operation for the musculoskeletal malignant tumors. Of the patients, 37 were followed up after operation.

RESULTS: According to the follow-up for 3-11 years (mean, 5.6 years) in the 37 patients, 2 patients had recurrence and metastasis of the tumor, and died 3 and 4 years after operation, respectively. One patient underwent amputation of the limb for local recurrence of the tumor. One patient had amputation of the limb for the preoperative radiotherapy and the infection and necrosis of the operative wound after the limb-salvage surgery. Two patients had amputation of the limb for the rejection of the allogenous bone graft and the formation of the fistula. Thirty-one patients had good wound healing and good functions of the limb. The results were evaluated by the Enneking evaluating system as follows: excellent in 7 patients, good in 14, fair in 10, and poor in 6.

CONCLUSION: Making an early diagnosis, recognizing the operative indication, choosing the operative method, and performing the preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are the keys to achieving an ideal limb-salvage surgery for osteogenic malignant tumors around the knees.