RT Book, Section A1 Boneti, Cristiano A1 Long, James N. A1 Kohanzadeh, Som A1 Torre, Jorge De La A1 Vasconez, Luis O. A2 Morita, Shane Y. A2 Balch, Charles M. A2 Klimberg, V. Suzanne A2 Pawlik, Timothy M. A2 Posner, Mitchell C. A2 Tanabe, Kenneth K. SR Print(0) ID 1145766446 T1 Soft Tissue Reconstruction after Sarcoma Resection T2 Textbook of Complex General Surgical Oncology YR 2018 FD 2018 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071793315 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1145766446 RD 2024/10/16 AB Sarcomas are neoplasms of the connective tissues derived from mesenchymal origins throughout the body, accounting for 1% of adult malignancies and 7% to 15% of pediatric malignancies.1 Sarcomas of the extremity, which are the scope of this chapter, represent 50% to 60% of all sarcoma diagnoses,2 with the thigh being the most common location.3 A deep knowledge of the principles of reconstructive surgery is of paramount importance to the oncological surgeon. In the same manner that tumor invasion of a vital structure can render the disease unresectable, a soft tissue defect that cannot be repaired results in either unacceptable morbidity, severely impairing the patient's quality of life, or an amputation in the cases of extremity tumors. A current familiarity with state of the art reconstructive techniques helps to identify cases that will present reconstructive challenges while also preparing the surgeon to properly advise the oncologic surgeon and patient of what options are truly tenable. In addition, cooperative efforts between the oncologic surgeon and plastic surgeon are more likely to result in satisfactory treatment of the wound with shorter recoveries and decreased length of hospital stay.