Transcutaneous Oxygen as a Predictor of Wound Healing Complications in Preoperatively Radiated Soft Tissue Sarcoma

It is estimated that there are 11,400 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed in the United States annually. Most high-grade sarcomas, and other selected low or intermediate grade sarcomas, are treated with a limb salvage surgical resection in conjunction with external beam radiation to optimize local control. The current preference of most practicing orthopaedic/surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists is to implement the radiation treatments prior to surgery to diminish the total radiation dose and field size, thereby optimizing long-term functional results of the salvaged limb. While there are clear advantages of preoperative radiation, there are well-demonstrated negative consequences with regard to healing of the surgical wound. Currently there are no reliable clinical criteria to aid physicians in determining an individual patient's risk of developing a postoperative wound complication. This fact, combined with the rarity of the sarcoma diagnosis, has prevented improvement in wound outcomes in sarcoma patients.

This project is designed to close this critical gap in knowledge. The investigators propose utilizing a preoperative measurement of transcutaneous oxygen (Tc02) at the proposed incision to classify patients into high- and low-risk categories for development of wound complications after resection. Measurement of preoperative TcO2 represents a novel application of a simple, noninvasive method by which to assess skin oxygenation. Given the results of an already completed pilot investigation (Nystrom 2016), the investigators believe that this important clinical problem is well suited for a prospective, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional investigation.

A successful project would result in an enhanced ability to identify wounds at risk prior to surgery and allow for additional investigation into perioperative interventions (delay of surgery until recovery of oxygenation, increasing suture duration, judicious use of muscle flaps and skin grafts, postoperative hyperbaric oxygen, or treatment with incisional wound vacuum-assisted closure) that may mitigate this significant adverse outcome.

Inclusion criteria

• age > 18
• biopsy proven soft tissue sarcoma of the lower extremity (pelvic area and below)
• plan for preoperative radiation and limb sparing resection

Exclusion criteria

• upper extremity sarcoma
• recurrent soft tissue sarcoma
• prior surgery in the area of the sarcoma
• prior radiation in the area of the sarcoma
• need for immediate skin graft or flap for coverage
• pregnant patients
• patients unwilling to have surgery or radiation