‘Triple Clear’: A Systematic and Up-to-Date Surgical Process for Giant Cell Tumor of Bone Graded Companacci II and III with or without Pathological Fracture and Joint Invasion
Abstract Objectives: 1) To describe a systematic process for giant cell tumours of bone (GCTB). 2) To compare the clinical effects of ‘triple clear’ (TC) and segmental resection (SR), bone grafts and bone cement.Method: Patients with primary GCTB graded Companacci II and III who were treated with either SR (n = 39) or TC (n = 41) were included. The pain level was determined by the Visual Analogue Scale. Limb function was determined by the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) score.Result: The operating time was 135.7±38.4 min in the TC group and 174.2±43.0 min in the SR group (P<0.05). The recurrence rates were 7.3% and 10.0%, respectively (P = 0.37). The MSTS scores at three months after surgery were 19.8±1.5 in the TC group and 18.8±1.5 in the SR group. The MSTS scores at two years were 26.3±0.7 and 24.2±1.6, respectively (P<0.05).Conclusion: TC is recommended for GCTB graded Companacci II-III and GCTB accompanied by pathological fracture or joint invasion. Bone grafts may be more suitable than bone cement in the long term.