Surgical navigation for challenging recurrent or pretreated intra-abdominal and pelvic soft tissue sarcomas

Background: This study assessed whether electromagnetic navigation can be of added value during resection of recurrent or post-therapy intra-abdominal/pelvic soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in challenging locations. Materials and Methods: Patients were included in a prospective navigation study. A pre-operatively 3D roadmap was made and tracked using electromagnetic reference markers. During the operation, an electromagnetic pointer was used for the localization of the tumor/critical anatomical structures. The primary endpoint was feasibility, secondary outcomes were safety and usability. Results: Nine patients with a total of 12 tumors were included, 7 patients with locally recurrent sarcoma. Three patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy and three other patients received neoadjuvant systemic treatment. The median tumor size was 4.6 cm (2.4–10.4). The majority of distances from tumor to critical anatomical structures was