# A Rare Case of Primary Sarcoma Arising Within Free Muscle Transfer

## TL;DR

A 35-year-old patient developed a rare sarcoma in a muscle flap used for reconstructive surgery 11 years earlier and is now in remission after amputation.

## Contribution

This paper presents a rare case of primary sarcoma arising within a free muscle transfer flap.

## Key findings

- A rhabdomyosarcoma was confirmed in the latissimus dorsi muscle flap 11 years after reconstructive surgery.
- The patient achieved remission following a transfemoral amputation and now walks pain-free with a prosthesis.

## 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 intramedullary nail and free latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap reconstruction. He had a complex postoperative course including osteomyelitis, a refracture, and chronic pain. Eleven years following the injury, he presented with pain and localized swelling around the flap. Histological analysis confirmed a rhabdomyosarcoma within the LD muscle and he underwent a transfemoral amputation. He is now in remission and walks on a prosthesis pain-free.