Limb-sparing surgery for bone tumors: new developments.

The standard for local control of malignant bone tumors has been amputation. During the last decade, limb-sparing surgery has been common in the multidisciplinary management of bone sarcoma. Efforts continue toward improving local control of tumor while retaining the function of the reconstructed limb. Major challenges include defining adequate surgical margins and developing biologic and prosthetic reconstructions that match life expectancy. Our review highlights important refinements of earlier techniques, current innovations, and future directions in limb-salvage surgery.