We evaluated the oncological and functional outcome of 27 patients who had limb salvage for a soft-tissue sarcoma of the foot or ankle between 1992 and 2007, with a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (1.05 to 16.2). There were 12 men and 15 women, with a mean age at presentation of 47 years (12 to 84). Referrals came from other hospitals for 16 patients who had previous biopsy or unplanned excision, and 11 presented de novo. There were 18 tumours located in the foot and nine around the ankle. Synovial sarcoma was the most frequent histological diagnosis. Excision was performed in all cases, with 16 patients requiring plastic surgical reconstruction with 13 free and three local flaps. Adjuvant treatment was undertaken in 20 patients, 18 with radiotherapy and two by chemotherapy. Limb salvage was successful in 26 of the 27 patients. There have been two local recurrences and two mesenchymal metastases. Four patients have died of their sarcoma and two of other causes. Function was evaluated with the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score and a mean overall score of 89.40 (52.1 to 100) was obtained. A questionnaire revealed that all surviving patients are able to wear normal shoes and none require a walking aid. Limb salvage can achieve good oncological and functional results with additional treatment

A major pathway of closed soft-tissue injury is failure of microvascular perfusion combined with a persistently enhanced inflammatory response. We therefore tested the hypothesis that hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch (HS/HES) effectively restores microcirculation and reduces leukocyte adherence after closed soft-tissue injury. We induced closed soft-tissue injury in the hindlimbs of 14 male isoflurane-anaesthetised rats. Seven traumatised animals received 7.5% sodium chloride-6% HS/HES and seven isovolaemic 0.9% saline (NS). Six non-injured animals did not receive any additional fluid and acted as a control group. The microcirculation of the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) was quantitatively analysed two hours after trauma using intravital microscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry, i.e. erythrocyte flux. Oedema was assessed by the wet-to-dry-weight ratio of the EDL. In NS-treated animals closed soft-tissue injury resulted in massive reduction of functional capillary density (FCD) and a marked increase in microvascular permeability and leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction as compared with the control group. By contrast, HS/HES was effective in restoring the FCD to 94% of values found in the control group. In addition, leukocyte rolling decreased almost to control levels and leukocyte adherence was found to be reduced by ~50%. Erythrocyte flux in NS-treated animals decreased to 90 ± 8% (mean . sem. ), whereas values in the HS/HES group significantly increased to 137 ± 3% compared with the baseline flux. Oedema in the HS/HES group (1.06 ± 0.02) was significantly decreased compared with the NS-group (1.12 ± 0.01). HS/HES effectively restores nutritive perfusion, decreases leukocyte adherence, improves endothelial integrity and attenuates oedema, thereby restricting tissue damage evolving secondary to closed soft-tissue injury. It appears to be an effective intervention, supporting nutritional blood flow by reducing trauma-induced microvascular dysfunction

We evaluated the risk of late relapse and further outcome in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas who were alive and event-free more than five years after initial treatment. From our database we identified 1912 patients with these pathologies treated between 1980 and 2006. Of these 1912 patients, 603 were alive and event-free more than five years after initial treatment and we retrospectively reviewed them. The mean age of this group was 48 years (4 to 94) and 340 were men. The mean follow-up was 106 months (60 to 336). Of the original cohort, 582 (97%) were alive at final follow-up. The disease-specific survival was 96.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 94.4 to 98.3) at ten years and 92.9% (95% CI 89 to 96.8) at 15 years. The rate of late relapse was 6.3% (38 of 603). The ten- and 15-year event-free rates were 93.2% (95% CI 90.8 to 95.7) and 86.1% (95% CI 80.2 to 92.1), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that tumour size and tumour grade remained independent predictors of events. In spite of further treatment, 19 of the 38 patients died of sarcoma. The three- and five-year survival rates after the late relapse were 56.2% (95% CI 39.5 to 73.3) and 43.2% (95% CI 24.7 to 61.7), respectively, with a median survival time of 46 months. Patients with soft-tissue sarcoma, especially if large, require long-term follow-up, especially as they have moderate potential to have their disease controlled. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1139–43

We report a variant of tibial hemimelia in a six-year-old boy that did not comply with recognised classification systems. The femur and knee were normal, but the fibula was displaced proximally and there was severe diastasis of the proximal and distal tibiofibular joints to the extent that a grossly deformed foot articulated with the fibula and there was separate soft-tissue cover for the distal tibia and fibula. Although it would have been preferable to create a one-bone leg, amputate the foot and use the fibula as the stump for a below-knee prosthesis, local circumstances resulted in the choice of a disarticulation through the knee. This was undertaken without complications, and six months post-operatively the child was walking comfortably with a prosthesis

Primary skin closure after surgery for club foot in children can be difficult especially in revision operations. Between 1990 and 1996 a soft-tissue expander was implanted in 13 feet before such procedures. Two were primary operations and 11 were revisions. A standard technique was used for implantation of the expander. Skin augmentation was successful in 11 cases. There was failure of one expander and one case of wound infection. Sufficient stable skin could be gained at an average of five weeks. Primary skin closure after surgery was achieved in 12 cases. We conclude that soft-tissue expansion can be used successfully before extensive surgery for club foot. The method should be reserved for revision procedures and for older children. The technique is not very demanding, but requires experience to achieve successful results

We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the ability of whole-body . 18. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) to identify local recurrence and pulmonary metastases in patients with soft-tissue tumours after treatment. We compared the results of FDG PET with those of MRI for the detection of local recurrence, and with CT of the chest for pulmonary metastases. We assessed 62 patients of mean age 51 years, who had 15 types of soft-tissue sarcoma, after a mean follow-up of 3 years 2 months. For the detection of local disease, 71 comparisons showed that the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET were 73.7% and 94.3%, respectively; there were 14 true-positive and five false-negative results. MRI had a sensitivity and specificity of 88.2% and 96.0% respectively. For the identification of lung metastases, 70 comparisons showed that the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET were 86.7% and 100%, with 13 true-positive results and two false-negative results. CT of the chest had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 96.4%. Thirteen other sites of metastases were identified by FDG PET. FDG PET can identify both local and distant recurrence of tumour as a one-step procedure and will detect other metastases. It seems that all three methods of imaging are needed to define accurately the extent of disease, both at initial staging and during follow-up

The aim of this study was to determine whether the high-sensitivity modified Glasgow prognostic score (Hs-mGPS) could predict the disease-specific survival and oncological outcome in adult patients with non-metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma before treatment. A total of 139 patients treated between 2001 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The Hs-mGPS varied between 0 and 2. Patients with a score of 2 had a poorer disease-specific survival than patients with a score of 0 (p < 0.001). The estimated five-year rate of disease-specific survival for those with a score of 2 was 0%, compared with 85.4% (95% CI 77.3 to 93.5) for those with a score of 0. Those with a score of 2 also had a poorer disease-specific survival than those with a score of 1 (75.3%, 95% CI 55.8 to 94.8; p < 0.001). Patients with a score of 2 also had a poorer event-free rate than those with a score of 0 (p < 0.001). Those with a score of 2 also had a poorer event-free survival than did those with a score of 1 (p = 0.03). A multivariate analysis showed that the Hs-mGPS remained an independent predictor of survival and recurrence. The Hs-mGPS could be a useful prognostic marker in patients with a soft-tissue sarcoma. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:847–52

We report four patients with a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated with soft-tissue contractures from birth and skin hyperalgesia. In early infancy, these cases were thought to be forms of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Larsen's syndrome or Marfan's syndrome. The characteristic triad of signs of Ehlers-Danlos disease gradually appeared from four to six years of age, allowing us to establish the correct diagnosis. We discuss the differential diagnosis of these connective-tissue disorders and the problems of the orthopaedic treatment of the associated joint deformities. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases of collagen and our cases constitute a group which is distinct from the conventional types

Aims

Prompt and sufficient broad-spectrum empirical antibiotic treatment is key to preventing infection following open tibial fractures. Succeeding co-administration, we dynamically assessed the time for which vancomycin and meropenem concentrations were above relevant epidemiological cut-off (ECOFF) minimal inhibitory concentrations (T > MIC) in tibial compartments for the bacteria most frequently encountered in open fractures. Low and high MIC targets were applied: 1 and 4 µg/ml for vancomycin, and 0.125 and 2 µg/ml for meropenem.

A case is reported of a patient who presented with a soft-tissue tumour at the site of a total hip replacement. This tumour proved to be a malignant fibrous histiocytoma

We reviewed 43 patients who had sustained soft-tissue injuries of the neck after a mean 10.8 years. Of these, only 12% had recovered completely. Residual symptoms were intrusive in 28% and severe in 12%. Pain in the neck and lower back was the commonest complaint and older patients had a worse prognosis. After two years, symptoms did not alter with further passage of time

We analysed 256 patients with primary soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities diagnosed between 1970 and 1990 to see if tumour-related and host-related prognostic factors influenced both the selection of operation and the margin of clearance obtained at surgery. Amputation was more often performed in young patients, in those with distal tumours, and in those with deep-seated tumours. Inadequate surgical margins (those with a high risk of local recurrence) were more common in patients with deep-seated and large tumours than in patients with superficial and small tumours. These features of the tumour and the host, which have been shown to be prognostic for survival, also influenced the choice and performance of surgical procedures

Aims

The existing clinical guidelines do not describe a clear indication for adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of superficial soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). We aimed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant RT for superficial STSs.

We have managed 21 patients with a fracture of the tibia complicated by bone and soft-tissue loss as a result of an open fracture in 10, or following debridement of an infected nonunion in 11, by resection of all the devitalised tissues, acute limb shortening to close the defect, application of an external fixator and metaphyseal osteotomy for re-lengthening. The mean bone loss was 4.7 cm (3 to 11). The mean age of the patients was 28.8 years (12 to 54) and the mean follow-up was 34.8 months (24 to 75). All the fractures united with a well-aligned limb. The mean duration of treatment for the ten grade-III A+B open fractures (according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification) was 5.7 months (4.5 to 8) and for the nonunions, 7.6 months (5.5 to 12.5). Complications included one refracture, one transient palsy of the peroneal nerve and one equinus contracture of 10°

We reviewed 277 patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) treated between 1975 and 1995 to study the incidence, distribution, time of appearance, and radiological findings of skeletal metastases. Of these, 28 (10.1%) had metastases within a mean period of 18.6 months after admission. The incidence of skeletal metastases differed among the histological subtypes of sarcoma; alveolar soft-part sarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma tended to show higher incidences. The regional bones close to the primary tumour were affected in 13 (46.4%) of the 28 patients, and the axial bones in 18 (64.3%). Radiologically, the metastatic bony lesions predominantly showed osteolytic changes, and there were pathological fractures in 21 of 44 lesions

We investigated the pathogenesis of soft-tissue contracture in club foot, using immunohistochemistry to study 41 biopsy specimens and 12 normal deltoid ligaments from cadavers. Five biopsy specimens were studied by electron microscopy (EM) to determine the presence of myofibroblasts. All 41 specimens of club foot stained positively for vimentin as against only one of the 12 control specimens. By contrast, there was no difference in staining for desmin or α-smooth muscle actin. EM showed some variability in the appearance of ligamentous cells. Most contained bundles of microfilaments in the cytoplasm and many had abundant pinocytotic vesicles, but no basal lamina or plasmalemmal attachment plaques. Cells of the medial ligamentous tissue in patients with club foot contain vimentin and others have myofibroblastic characteristics. Both features may contribute to recurrence after soft-tissue release

We have investigated the significance of local recurrence on survival in 173 patients with localised soft-tissue sarcomas of the limbs and of the trunk. The overall survival rates at five and ten years were 75.2% and 68.0%, respectively. After definitive surgery at our hospitals, there was local recurrence in 25 patients (14.5%). After inadequate operations elsewhere, there was a higher incidence of late local recurrence (28.3%), in comparison with those with primary tumours treated by us (9.0%), or patients referred to us immediately after inadequate surgery elsewhere (10.2%). Because of small numbers these differences in the survival rates were not statistically significantly different. Univariate survival analysis showed that local recurrence after definitive surgery (p = 0.006) together with the histological grade (p = 0.0002), the size of the tumour (p = 0.002), its depth in relation to deep fascia (p = 0.003), and the surgical margin (p = 0.0001) were the significant prognostic factors. Local recurrence at the initial presentation did not affect survival. Multivariate analysis showed that local recurrence after definitive surgery also lost its apparent prognostic significance

We report on the radiological findings in a series of 871 consecutive primary condylar knee replacements followed up for an average of four years. A new radiological sign has been identified, consisting of a smoothly tapering wedge of cement visible beneath the horizontal portion of the tibial component on the anteroposterior radiograph. This was found in 25.4% of our cases and appears to indicate a persistent soft-tissue imbalance following condylar arthroplasty of the knee. The cement-wedge sign was associated with a highly significant increase in radiolucent lines at the tibial cement-bone interface

Resection of malignant bony tumours of the pelvis creates large bone and soft-tissue defects, and is frequently associated with complications such as wound dehiscence and deep infection. We present the results of six patients in whom a rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap was used following resection of a malignant tumour of the pelvis. Bony reconstruction was performed using a constrained hip tumour prosthesis in three patients, vascularised fibular graft in two and frozen autograft in one. At a mean follow-up of 63 months (16 to 115), no patients had a problem with the wound. Immediate reconstruction using a RAM flap may be used after resection of a malignant tumour of the pelvis to provide an adequate volume of tissue to eliminate the dead space, cover the exposed bone or implants with well-vascularised soft tissue and to reduce the risk of complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:270–3

We analysed metastasis-free survival after local recurrence in a population-based series of 432 patients treated for soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities or trunk wall. Local recurrence was found in 124 patients; of these, 73 had no detectable metastases when the last local recurrence was diagnosed. No patient received chemotherapy for local recurrence. The 73 patients had a 5-year metastasis-free survival rate of 0.73 after the last local recurrence, compared with 0.47 in all 124 patients with local recurrence. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was 0.76 in the 308 patients who had never developed local recurrence, and 0.68 in the whole series. The selection of patients with local recurrence but no concurrent metastasis creates a subset of the population with a good prognosis; this makes it difficult to evaluate the effect of treatment for local recurrence on survival rate. In studies of prognosis this group of patients should be analysed separately from patients with primary tumours