Local resection of the mass to treat the osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: indications and different methods with 38-case series.

BACKGROUND: Local resection of the mass was reported to treat the condylar osteochodroma in some cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the indications of the local resection. METHODS: In all, 47 patients with osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle were treated from January 2002 to March 2012. The decision to perform local resection depended on 2 factors: there was a stalk existing between the mass and the condyle, and the condylar surface was involved less than 1/2. RESULTS: Local resection of the mass was performed in 38 cases (80.1%). These masses were removed by 4 methods: direct removal (18 cases), pushed-out by a screw and steel wire (14 cases), excision in multiple pieces (3 cases), and temporary osteotomy of the zygomatic arch (3 cases). In the follow-up period, there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Local resection of the mass was a more conservative procedure to treat the solitary osteochondroma with a stalk.