OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of cauterization as a sole adjuvant method inintralesional resection of benign bone tumors, taking into account associated factors that could influence local recurrence. METHODS: 47 patients diagnosed with different benign bone tumors were included in this study, all of whom had been treated with curettage associated with cauterization as an adjuvant method. The medium follow-up was 32.7 ± 19.4 months. The recurrence rate was then evaluated in relation to age, sex, location of the tumor, histologic type, tumor grade ( B1, B2 or B3 ), and size and type of material used to fill the tumor cavity ( PMMA or autologus bone). The type and percentage of complications were also included in the analysis. RESULTS: Global recurrence was 19.1%. There was statistic significance relating tumor grade to time to recurrence (p=0,028). No other factors were found that directly correlated with global recurrence of the tumors. CONCLUSION: Cauterization proved to be a simple, inexpensive and effective adjuvant method for the treatment of benign bone tumors. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Bone neoplasms; Bone and bones; Recurrence
