The Spare Parts Concept in Sarcoma Surgery: A Systematic Review of Surgical Strategies

Main treatment for limb sarcomas is surgical resection with negative tumoral margins. In cases in which tumor removal requires limb amputation, tissues free of infiltration can be used as flaps – be they free or pedicled – with reconstructive aim or to obtain an optimal proximal stump, according to “spare parts surgery” concept. The application of these strategies avoids causing additional donor-site morbidity with a reconstructive objective, as well as facilitating the subsequent process of prosthetization and functional rehabilitation. This article aims to review the main techniques encompassed in this concept, incorporating our own-experience tips on its surgical approach.