Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas of the musculoskeletal system. / Resección no planificada en sarcomas de partes blandas del aparato locomotor.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis process of soft tissue sarcomas of the musculoskeletal system (SPBAL) continues to be complex, with cases of unplanned excisions ("whoops" surgeries). This study evaluates the frequency of these type of procedures, trying to indentify patient characteristics, tumors, surgical treatment and final results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 131 patients treated surgically between October 2018 and December 2021 of a SPBAL were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with SPBAL located in the viscera, mediastinum, heart, retroperitoneum, peritoneum and genital tract were excluded. Differences between patients with planned and unplanned excisions were assessed with chi2 tests and a Cox multivariate regression model. RESULTS: Unplanned excisions of SPBAL have taken place in 18% of the patients in our área, mainly in tumors of less than 5 cm and located superficial to the fascia. 29,2% of these patients did not have a previous imaging test. It has not been shown that a "whoops" surgery can lead to a decrease in survival or a higher rate of recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend carrying out an imaging test always prior to the removal of any type of soft tissue tumor, as well as adherence to the referral guidelines to reference centers.

[Translated article] Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas of the musculoskeletal system.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis process of soft tissue sarcomas of the musculoskeletal system (SPBAL) continues to be complex, with cases of unplanned excisions ("whoops" surgeries). This study evaluates the frequency of these type of procedures, trying to identify patient characteristics, tumours, surgical treatment and final results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 131 patients treated surgically between October 2018 and December 2021 of a SPBAL were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with SPBAL located in the viscera, mediastinum, heart, retroperitoneum, peritoneum and genital tract were excluded. Differences between patients with planned and unplanned excisions were assessed with Chi2 tests and a Cox multivariate regression model. RESULTS: Unplanned excisions of SPBAL have taken place in 18% of the patients in our area, mainly in tumours of less than 5cm and located superficial to the fascia. 29.2% of these patients did not have a previous imaging test. It has not been shown that a "whoops" surgery can lead to a decrease in survival or a higher rate of recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend carrying out an imaging test always prior to the removal of any type of soft tissue tumour, as well as adherence to the referral guidelines to reference centres.