Vascular reconstruction using autologous vs synthetic graft for patients with extremity soft‐tissue sarcoma involving the major vessels

Objective Arterial reconstruction after radical limb‐sparing resection of extremity soft‐tissue sarcoma (STS) involving great vessels is necessary. However, there is no agreement upon the optimal vascular substitute. This study prospectively evaluated the major vascular reconstructions in extremity STS surgery with vascular involvement. Patients and Methods Between June 2017 and August 2019, 29 patients having extremity STS with major vascular reconstruction were enrolled. Recurrent, metastatic STSs or STSs of vascular origin were excluded. Patients were non‐randomly divided into two groups according to the type of arterial substitute: group I, autologous graft (16 patients) and group II, synthetic graft (13 patients). Graft patency, postoperative morbidity, and patient and limb survival were analyzed. Results The mean follow‐up was 12 months (range, 6‐26). Early postoperative complications and overall survival were nonsignificantly different between groups. The 1‐year primary patency was 92.85% vs 90% in groups I vs II, respectively, P = .704. Graft occlusion was nonsignificantly greater in the synthetic group, P = .107. Limb salvage was 93.75% in group I compared with 92.3% in group II, P = .87. Conclusions Graft choice should be based on autologous vein suitability regarding its length and caliber. If such requirements are not available, synthetic substitutes can be used with close surveillance of patency.