Open Access Publication Functional Outcomes of Reconstruction for Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Foot and Ankle

Objective: We present the functional outcome of six cases of soft tissue sarcomas of the foot and ankle area treated with limb-sparing surgery and soft tissue reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Six patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the foot and ankle who were treated with limb-sparing surgery and soft tissue reconstructions from 1993 to 2007 were evaluated. On recent follow-up, patients function were scored using a Functional Evaluation Scoring System. Results: There were three males and three females with an average age of 36.3 years (range, 11-56 years) at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up period was 49 months (range: 4-91 months). The average size of the soft tissue defect was 124.3 cm2 (range, 48-182 cm2). All flaps survived. As of final evaluation, three patients are alive without evidence of disease, two patients are alive with evidence of disease and one patient died of disease. The average Enneking Functional Score for the six patients was 92.8%. Conclusion: Limb-sparing surgery and soft tissue reconstruction for foot and ankle sarcomas can provide good functional outcomes and will continue to play an important role in the management of these tumors