Clinical Study on Decalcified Tooth Matrix Combined with Artificial Bone for Repairing Lacunar Bone Defects After Tumor Curettage

Abstract Background Repairing lacunar bone defects following bone tumor curettage presents a common clinical challenge. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining decalcified tooth matrix (DTM) with artificial bone in the repair of these bone defects. Methods We analyzed data from 30 patients who underwent tumor curettage and bone grafting with DTM and artificial bone within the past year. Outcomes were assessed based on general health status, surgical complications, local disease control, and bone healing, which was measured using the Extended Lane and Sandu Score (eLSS) scoring system. Results The study included 30 patients, comprising 19 males and 11 females, with a median age of 21 years (range: 5–54 years). Tumor locations were as follows: 12 cases in the femur, 7 in the tibia, 3 in the humerus, 4 in the phalanges, 3 in the fibula, and 1 in the ulna. Pathological types included 8 non-ossifying fibromas, 6 bone cysts, 6 enchondromas, 4 fibrous dysplasia cases, 2 chondroblastomas, 2 aneurysmal bone cysts, and 1 each of intraosseous lipoma and hamartoma. The median maximum diameter of the tumors was 4.7 cm (range: 1.2–13.5 cm), with a median follow-up duration of 7 months (range: 3–14 months). No patients required blood transfusions or experienced perioperative complications. There were no observed tumor recurrences during the postoperative follow-up, and limb function remained largely unaffected. Notably, following treatment with DTM and artificial bone, similar healing rates were observed in both the cortical bone area and the bone marrow cavity. The median eLSS score for this patient cohort was 8 points, with scores ranging from 6 to 10 points. Conclusions The combination of artificial bone and DTM transplantation represents an effective clinical approach for the repair and reconstruction of bone defects resulting from benign bone tumor resection surgery.