[The incidence of recurrence in phenol treated and non-phenol treated bone cavities following intralesional resection of non-malignant bone tumors].

Between 1955 and 1986 intralesional excisions were performed at Vienna University Orthopedic Clinic on 103 patients suffering from aneurysmatic or juvenile bone cysts, chondromyxoid fibromas or giant cell tumors. In 31 patients phenol was applied to the wall of the bone cavity after this had been carefully curetted or fraised. The chemical cauterization effect is intended to destroy any remaining tumor cell remnants. The cavity is then filled with autologous or homologous spongiosa. In a total of 72 nonphenolized bone cavities there were 21 recurrences (29.1%). By using phenol following intralesional excision of nonmalignant bone tumors in 31 patients the recurrence rate was significantly lowered (3 recurrences - 9.7%).