Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2007 Summer;15(2):83-5.
doi: 10.1177/229255030701500204.

Forequarter amputation for malignant tumours of the upper extremity: Case report, techniques and indications

Vanessa Dimas  1 , Jennifer Kargel, John Bauer, Peter Chang
Affiliations
Case Reports

Forequarter amputation for malignant tumours of the upper extremity: Case report, techniques and indications

Vanessa Dimas et al. Can J Plast Surg. 2007 Summer.

Abstract
in English, French

Forequarter (interscapulothoracic) amputation is a major ablative surgical procedure that was originally described to manage traumatic injuries of the upper extremity. Currently, it is most commonly used in the treatment of malignant tumours of the arm. With the advent of limb-sparing techniques, primary forequarter amputation is performed less frequently, but remains a powerful surgical option in managing malignant tumours of the upper extremity; therefore, surgeons should be familiar with this procedure. A classic case report of forequarter amputation, with emphasis on indications and surgical techniques, is presented.

L’amputation interscapulothoracique est une intervention chirurgicale ablative importante qui a été décrite pour la première fois dans la prise en charge de lésions traumatiques de l’extrémité supérieure. Maintenant, elle est surtout utilisée pour le traitement de tumeurs malignes du bras. Grâce aux progrès des techniques d’épargne des membres, l’amputation interscapulothoracique est moins utilisée, mais elle demeure une puissante possibilité chirurgicale dans le traitement des tumeurs malignes de l’extrémité supérieure. Les chirurgiens devraient donc connaître cette intervention. Un cas classique d’amputation interscapulothoracique, axé sur les indications et les techniques chirurgicales, est présenté.

Keywords: Forequarter amputation; Interscapulothoracic; Sarcoma; Shoulder girdle; Upper limb.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
A Anterior view of the patient with the left upper extremity mass causing displacement of the arm at rest. B Posterior view of the patient with the left upper extremity mass limiting his range of motion
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
A Cross-sectional magnetic resonance image of the patient with a large left upper extremity mass. B Coronal magnetic resonance image of the same patient
Figure 3)
Figure 3)
Photomicrograph of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (original magnification ×40)
Figure 4)
Figure 4)
Anterior view of the postoperative forequarter amputation
Figure 5)
Figure 5)
Intraoperative view of the divided clavicle, ligated subclavian artery and vein, and ligated brachial plexus
Figure 6)
Figure 6)
Development of fasciocutaneous skin flaps for primary closure
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Yoak MB, Cocke WM, Jr, Carey JP. Interscapulothoracic amputation. W V Med J. 2001;97:148–50. - PubMed
    1. Levine EA, Warso MA, McCoy DM, Das Gupta TK. Forequarter amputation for soft tissue tumors. Am Surg. 1994;60:367–70. - PubMed
    1. Bhagia SM, Elek EM, Grimer RJ, Carter SR, Tillman RM. Forequarter amputation for high-grade malignant tumours of the shoulder girdle. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1997;79:924–6. - PubMed
    1. Clark MA, Thomas JM. Major amputation for soft-tissue sarcoma. Br J Surg. 2003;90:102–7. - PubMed
    1. Wittig JC, Bickels J, Kollender Y, Kellar-Graney KL, Meller I, Malawer MM. Palliative forequarter amputation for metastatic carcinoma to the shoulder girdle region: Indications, preoperative evaluation, surgical technique, and results. J Surg Oncol. 2001;77:105–14. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources