A technical note to prevent superficial tumor cell dissemination at fungating soft tissue tumor resection.

Dissemination of the tumor within surgical field increases the risk of local recurrences. Fungating soft tissue tumors present a special risk of contamination in the attempt to perform wide resections. We hypothesized that adequate tumor coverage at resection could prevent tumor spilling and superficial dissemination in the operation field. For this purpose we used swabs to soak secretions. Incise drapes were put over swabs to seal the tumor. Double row skin staples were placed at the edge of the adhesive drapes for lift-off-prevention. We present eight patients treated with wide resection (3 myxofibrosarcomas, 2 malignant melanomas, 1 spindle cell sarcoma, 1 basal cell carcinoma, and 1 exulcerated lipoma). No complications were observed using this technique. An intraoperative local control, confirmed histologically, was achieved in all patients. Tumor covering could help local tumor control at fungating tumor resection.