Table 1.

A summary of surgical techniques used for sarcomas, based on type and location

Defect characteristic	Subgroup	Dimensions	Surgical technique
Position
Partial defect	Superficial	<5 cm wide	Primary closure
		>5 cm wide	Skin graft
			Vacuum dressing
			Tissue expansion (TE)
			Local/distant flap/ free tissue transfer (FTT)
	Myofascial
	Central	<10 cm wide	Primary closure
			Component separation (open/endoscopic)
			Transverse abdominis release
			Local flaps (rectus/ext./int. oblique)
		>10 cm wide	Distant flaps: transverse fascia Lata (TFL)
			Rectus femoris
			Vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh)
			TE/FTT
	Lateral	<5 cm wide	Primary closure
			Component separation (open/endoscopic)
			Transverse abdominis release
			Local flaps (rectus/ext./int. oblique)
		>5 cm wide	Distant flaps: TFL
			Rectus femoris
			Vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh)
			TE/FTT
Complete defect	Upper abdomen	<10 cm wide	Adequate skin—see partial myofascial options
		>10 cm wide	Local flaps: superior rectus abdominis
			External oblique
			Distant flaps: ext. latissimus dorsi
			Ext. TFL
			TE/FTT
	Mid abdomen	<10 cm wide	Adequate skin—see partial myofascial options
		>10 cm wide	Local flaps: rectus abdominis
			External oblique
			Distant flaps: TFL
			Rectus femoris
			TE/FTT
	Lower abdomen	<10 cm wide	Adequate skin—see partial myofascial options
		>10 cm wide	Local flaps: inferior rectus flap
			Internal oblique
			Distant flaps: TFL
			Rectus femoris
			Vastus lateralis
			TE/FTT
Wound status	Local infection		If infected, a temporary repair with a bridging mesh is advised. After treatment of the wound infection and a sterile defect is obtained, assess according to defect position.
Histology	Possible positive margins		If positive margins are likely, a temporary repair with a bridging mesh is advised. After re-excision of positive margins and/or remission of disease is established, assess according to defect position.