Limb salvage surgery is a complex operation to remove a bone or soft tissue tumour while preserving the affected limb. The resected segment is reconstructed to maintain limb function. It is the preferred approach for most bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
The tumour is removed en bloc with a margin of healthy tissue. The resulting defect is reconstructed using an endoprosthesis (metal implant), massive bone allograft (donor bone), vascularised bone graft, or a combination. Plastic surgery may be involved for soft tissue coverage. The operation is complex and may take four to eight hours.
Limb salvage is preferred over amputation whenever oncologically safe and technically feasible. It preserves the limb and provides better quality of life. Survival rates are equivalent to amputation when margins are clear.
Amputation is the alternative when limb salvage is not safe or would result in a non-functional limb.
Specialist sarcoma centre. Full staging. Multidisciplinary planning. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy if indicated. Custom implant planning.
Preservation of the limb with useful function. Equivalent oncological outcomes to amputation. Improved body image and quality of life.
Some loss of function is expected.
Recovery takes many months.
Higher risk than standard surgery.
Risk approximately 5-10% with clear margins.
May require implant removal.
Graft non-union, implant loosening, or fracture.
May be needed if salvage fails.
General anaesthesia. Major surgery with significant blood loss.
Hospital stay one to two weeks. Individualised rehabilitation programme. Full recovery six to eighteen months. Lifelong surveillance.
Intensive oncology surveillance. Lifelong reconstruction monitoring.
Yes, when performed with clear surgical margins, survival rates are equivalent. The key is achieving complete tumour removal regardless of the method.