A Rare Case of Primary Sarcoma Arising Within Free Muscle Transfer

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas are one of the rarest forms of cancer. We describe a unique case of a 35-year-old patient who sustained an open lower limb fracture requiring an intra-medullary nail and free latissimus dorsi muscle flap reconstruction. He had a complex post-operative course including osteomyelitis, a re-fracture and chronic pain. Eleven years following the injury, he presented with pain and localized swelling around the flap. Histological analysis confirmed a rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) within the LD muscle and he underwent a trans-femoral amputation. He is now in remission and walks on a prosthesis pain free.