CC BY 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2466-4905
Original Article

Long-term Follow-up Study for Fractured and Non-Fractured Hand Enchondromas Treated by Sole Curettage

Cosima Prahm
1   Clinic for Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
,
Laura Kefalianakis
2   Clinic for Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Hospital Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
,
Johannes Heinzel
2   Clinic for Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Hospital Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
,
Jonas Kolbenschlag
1   Clinic for Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
,
Adrien Daigeler
1   Clinic for Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
,
Henrik Lauer
3   Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN64374)
› Author Affiliations

Background: Enchondromas are the most common primary tumors in the small tubular bones of the hand and fractures are often the result of thinned cortical bone. The main question was whether fractured enchondromas influence the long-term clinical and radiological outcome. Methods: Between 2000 and 2019, 57 patients with previously treated fractured (group I) and non-fractured (group II) hand enchondromas (34 female, 23 male, mean age was 39.4 years, ± 13.7) were evaluated for clinical and radiological treatment outcomes. SF-36 and DASH questionnaires as well as patient reported experience measures were used to assess subjective health outcomes. Subsequently, 43 patients underwent clinical and radiological follow-ups. Comparative evaluation of objective treatment outcomes in both groups was conducted in terms of hand functionality, perioperative complications, recurrence rates, and osteogenesis. Results: Almost half the patients suffered enchondromas with fractures (49.1%, n=28). Two patients received additional k-wire-stabilization due to intraoperative instability. Defect resolution could be reached in 97.7% (n=42) of all cases. No recurrence of enchondroma was observed. Groups were equal regarding radiological and clinical outcomes. The patient reported experiences were predominantly positive (86%), both cohorts had good to very good results with a DASH mean score of 4 (±6.3). The SF-36 demonstrated a return to normal quality of life in both groups. Mean follow-up time was 7.78 years (±4.8). Conclusions: Sole curettage of enchondromas yields effective outcomes with good to excellent results regardless of the presence of a fracture. Long-term radiological follow-up is not required until symptomatic recurrence. .



Publication History

Received: 28 December 2023

Accepted after revision: 09 October 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 November 2024

© . The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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