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Review
. 2024 May 27;13(11):3126.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13113126.

Recent Advances in the Surgical Management of Radiation-Induced Fractures following Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Matteo Salvini  1   2 , Alessandro El Motassime  1   2 , Francesco Cavola  1   2 , Pasquale Ruberto  1   2 , Antonio Ziranu  1   2   3 , Giulio Maccauro  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Recent Advances in the Surgical Management of Radiation-Induced Fractures following Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Matteo Salvini et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Post-radiation fractures are a significant complication of cancer treatment, often being challenging to manage and impacting patients' quality of life. This study systematically reviews the literature on fractures in irradiated bones, focusing on risk factors, treatment modalities, and prevention strategies. Factors increasing fracture risk include exposure to high doses of radiation of at least 50 Gy, female gender, menopausal age, and periosteal stripping. Additionally further risk factors are the size of the original tumor and osteoporosis. Methods: A search of PubMed yielded 541 articles, with 4 were ultimately included in the review. These retrospective studies focused on patients undergoing Combined Limb-Sparing Surgery and Radiation Therapy for soft tissue sarcoma. Results: Results show post-radiation fractures affect approximately 4% of patients, with the femur being the most frequently affected site. Intramedullary nailing emerges as the gold standard treatment, with prosthetic replacement or megaprostheses used in the metaepiphyseal region and as salvage procedures. Non-union and infection remain formidable complications. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of prophylactic nailing in fracture prevention and the efficacy of free vascularized fibular flaps to achieve bone union during revision surgeries. Limited case availability and patient follow-up hinder comprehensive studies, impacting treatment outcomes.

Keywords: insufficiency fractures; irradiated bone; post-attinic; radiation therapy; soft tissue sarcomas.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart Post-radiation Fractures.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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