Telemedicine in Care of Sarcoma Patients beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging environment for sarcoma patients. Most oncology societies published guidelines or recommendations prioritizing sarcoma patients and established telehealth as an efficient method of approaching them. The aim of this review is the assessment of current evidence regarding the utilization of telemedicine in diagnosis, treatment modalities, telerehabilitation and satisfaction among sarcoma patients and healthcare providers (HP). METHODS: This systematic review was carried out using the databases PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: The application of telemedicine to the management of sarcoma has yielded improved clinical and psychological outcomes. Specifically, significant progress has been demonstrated in the areas of tele-oncology and telerehabilitation during the last decade, and the COVID-19 outbreak has accelerated this transition toward them. Telehealth has been proven efficient in a wide spectrum of applications from consultations on physical therapy and psychological support to virtual care symptom management. Both HP and patients reported satisfaction with telehealth services at levels comparable to in-person visits. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth has already unveiled many opportunities in tailoring individualized care, and its role in the management of sarcoma patients has been established in the post-COVID-19 era, as well.

Well leg compartment syndrome due to the lithotomy position in orthopedic surgery: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

The well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS) is a complication that can occur because of the lithotomy surgical position. Although it is a very rare entity, it can lead to a permanent disability if not properly treated. Very few cases have been described in the literature as a result of orthopedic surgery. We present two cases of WLCS that developed because of the lithotomy position. The first case concerns a patient who sustained a left floating knee and developed a compartment syndrome of the right uninjured calf during surgery. A good outcome has been achieved after early fasciotomies. The second case is about a patient who developed a compartment syndrome of the right buttock after a left unicompartmental knee replacement. This patient was treated conservatively because of delayed diagnosis. A brief literature review regarding the WLCS in orthopedic surgery is also conducted.