Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41768113›Full record

ArticleJPRAS open2026

The role of plastic reconstructive surgery in surgical reconstruction of soft tissue defects after resection of musculoskeletal tumors.

Parthena Deskoulidi, Vasileios Kontogeorgakos, Olga Savvidou, Konstantinos Benetatos, Panagiotis Gavriil, Stavros Goumenos, Panayiotis Papagelopoulos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JPRAS open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Parthena DeskoulidiDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kat Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Vasileios KontogeorgakosFirst Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Olga SavvidouFirst Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Konstantinos BenetatosDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 401 Military Hospital of Athens, Greece.
Panagiotis GavriilFirst Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Stavros GoumenosFirst Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Panayiotis PapagelopoulosFirst Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal tumor resections often result in large soft tissue defects that require complex reconstructive surgery to restore function and appearance. An interdisciplinary "orthoplastic" approach-coordinating orthopedic and plastic surgical expertise-aims to ensure durable wound coverage, minimize complications, and facilitate timely adjuvant therapies, ultimately improving functional recovery and oncologic outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients (2013-2020) at the First Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, "Attikon" University General Hospital. Focusing on sarcomas primarily in the lower extremities, pelvis, and sacrum, 56 patients underwent wide local resection and plastic reconstruction. Twenty-three of these 56 patients (41%) required wide local excision and pedicle or free flap reconstruction. Data included demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Reconstructive technique choice depended on defect size, location, critical structure exposure, and prior radiation. Results: The orthoplastic approach, with meticulous planning and diverse reconstructive options, achieved acceptable morbidity and favorable functional and oncologic outcomes. This strategy ensured clear tumor margins with durable soft tissue coverage, protecting vital structures and minimizing wound complications, especially in limb-salvage cases requiring adjuvant radiotherapy. Our institutional data confirmed tailored reconstruction facilitated successful defect closure and timely adjuvant therapy. Conclusion: A collaborative orthoplastic approach is pivotal for soft tissue reconstruction after musculoskeletal tumor resection, improving limb preservation, outcomes, and reducing complications. While immediate reconstruction with well-vascularized tissue is beneficial, further research is needed to quantify its impact on quality of life and recurrence, and to establish evidence-based guidelines. Our experience highlights the frequent need for plastic surgery in extremity/pelvic sarcomas and the value of a flexible, tailored approach.

Indexed as

ALT flapDIEP flapMusculoskeletal tumorsOrthoplastic approachReconstructionSarcomas

Identifiers

PMID41768113
PMCPMC12937014

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.