Factors affecting surgical outcomes of digital glomus tumour: a multicentre study.

ABSTRACT

This was a retrospective, multicentre study using data from four medical institutions of 72 patients of histologically confirmed digital glomus tumour removed by surgical excision. Mean follow-up period was 5.4 years. We investigated clinical outcomes and analysed the relationship between primary glomus tumour size, radiographic bony erosion, anatomic location, surgical approach, and surgical method as risk factors for recurrence. Complications and recurrence rate according to surgical approach and surgical method were compared. At final follow-up, recurrence was observed in five (6.9%) patients. Postoperative complications were observed in nine (12.5%), with two patients having numbness of fingertips, and seven having nail deformities. In a group with pulp lesions for which a direct approach was used and in a surgical loupe group, recurrence rates were high, however, this was not statistically significant. A nail-sparing approach and microscopic excision did not lower the incidence of nail deformities. No risk factors that significantly predicted recurrence were found. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.