No local recurrence of enchondroma after curettage and plaster filling.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The most common treatment of enchondromas is curettage (with or without adjuvant therapy) followed by cancellous bone grafting. To avoid donor-site morbidity of the iliac crest, we applied plaster of Paris as a bone defect filler after curettage of enchondromas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 19 enchondromas of the hand and foot in 19 patients (mean age 40 years, range 21-79 years) with curettage and filling of the cavity with sterile plaster of Paris (calcium sulphate/phosphate) tablets. RESULTS: The diagnosis was histologically confirmed in all cases. After a mean follow-up of 53 months (range 15-139 months), the mean functional Muskuloskeletal Tumor Society Score was 29.1 points (97%; range 28-30). There were no local recurrences although adjuvant therapy was not utilized. CONCLUSION: Plaster of Paris appears safe and effective as a bone-filling substance after curettage of enchondroma.