Limb Salvage Versus Amputation for the Management of Primary Bone Tumors of the Upper Extremity: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Primary bone tumors are rare yet present a significant burden to patients, with surgery being the mainstay of treatment. We reviewed outcomes of limb salvage (LS) and amputation for management of upper extremity tumors. We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews. A total of 2,886 studies were screened, and 5 studies were included (n = 187 patients; LS = 101, Amputation = 86). Commonly reported outcomes included local recurrence, metastasis at follow-up, and survival. Metastasis and local recurrence rates were in favor of LS surgery, with some studies reporting no differences. Survival was consistently reported to be statistically significantly in favor of LS.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Bone Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Musculoskeletal synovial abnormalities and treatments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Orthopedics
- Publisher
- SLACK, Inc.
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- e248–e256
- Publication date
- 1 May 2026
- Language
- EN