Wound-Healing Complications Disrupt Early Patient-Reported Recovery After Limb-Sparing Soft Tissue Sarcoma Surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Wound-healing problems, both minor events and major wound-healing complications (WHCs), are common after soft tissue sarcoma (STS) surgery. Their impact on patient-reported recovery remains poorly defined. This study evaluated associations between postoperative WHCs and PROMIS physical and mental health outcomes.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, multi-institutional cohort of adults undergoing limb-sparing resection for extremity or trunk STS (2017-2025). Wound-healing events were recorded, and major WHCs were defined as complications requiring return to the operating room. PROMIS Global Physical Health and Global Mental Health T-scores were obtained preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months. Cross-sectional scores, change from baseline, and responder analyses (≥ 3-point improvement) were compared by WHC status.

RESULTS: Of 74 patients, 45 (60.8%) experienced a wound-healing event and 16 (21.6%) developed a major WHC requiring reoperation. Baseline PROMIS scores were similar between groups. At 3 months, patients with wound-healing events had significantly worse physical and mental health recovery trajectories. Early events and reoperation were associated with worse physical function through 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative wound-healing events, particularly early or major complications, are associated with clinically meaningful disruptions in patient-reported recovery, supporting the value of PROMIS-based postoperative monitoring.