[Long-term results of the treatment of juvenile bone cysts].

38 children between 5 and 14 years of age with juvenile bone cysts were followed up to a maximum of 20 years. In two-thirds of the cases the diagnosis was made on the occasion of a fracture in the cyst region. One child received conservative treatment, 37 children were operated on. The roentgenological diagnosis of all children operated on was confirmed histologically. The operative procedure consisted in milling out the cysts and filling the cavities with autogenous, allogenous or xenogenous spongiosa. Because of the high recurrence rate (10-40% in the literature and 19% from our own experience) we suggest a modified surgical procedure assuring complete recovery. Subtotal diaphysectomy with interposition of a corticospongious splinter and allogenous spongiosa using a stable osteosynthesis in the case of large primary cysts in metadiaphyseal position is discussed.