HYDROXYAPATITE CEMENT - A NEW METHOD FOR ACHIEVING WATERTIGHT CLOSUREIN TRANSTEMPORAL SURGERY

Transtemporal approaches to the petrous apex and CP angle are standard procedures in the armamentarium of the neurotologist. In the majority of these cases, it is not possible to achieve a watertight suture clo sure of the dura following the procedure. Subsequently, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and potential meningitis are among the most troublesome complications for both patient and surgeon. Recent use of calcium phos phate cement (hydroxyapatite [HA]) has proved efficacious in animal st udies and is now being used to close cranial defects in several medica l centers, as part of an FDA-IDE study in human subjects. The use of t his material is described in 11 neurotologic procedures. It is believe d that hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) will become a standard tool in the management of cranial base and temporal bone defects following surgery .