EXCLUSIVE Frankenlimbs! Doctors are using 'spare parts' removed during ops to perform reconstructions on arms and legs following cancer surgery READ MORE: Experts warn the 'relaxing' nicotine pouches are linked to cancer By John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 18:18, 29 May 2024 | Updated: 19:21, 29 May 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Patients losing a limb to cancer are enjoying faster recovery times and fewer complications thanks to surgeons using 'spare parts' from their amputation. And surgeons who published a study on the revolutionary technique say such 'frankenlimbs' could improve recovery for patients and even help ease NHS surgical waiting lists. The technique has already been used with patients who need limbs removed due to soft tissue sarcomas, a family of cancers that grow in the body's connective tissues such as muscles, fat, blood vessels and nerves.
One sarcoma patient to already have benefited revealed how part of his forearm, complete with a tattoo, had been used to reconstruct his shoulder. David Brown, 58, from South Shields said: 'When I was 13, I had a tattoo on my left forearm. One patient whose already benefited from surgeons using his own 'spare parts' is David Brown, 58, from South Shields The only very minor negative Mr Brown said he could find with the technique was the fact his 'spare parts' procedure meant he was stuck with the remains of a tattoo he regretted.
Here he is pictured alongside his wife Karen on a holiday after his reco.
