BIOACTIVE GLASS GRANULES AND PLATES IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF DEFECTS OF THE FACIAL BONES

Non-vascularised bone grafts that are used for reconstruction of skele tal deformities of the face after trauma or tumour surgery are prone t o resorption. The outcome may, therefore, not be what was expected. Bo ne was reconstructed with bioactive glass S53P4 granules and plates at 36 sites in 13 patients. The behaviour of the material was compared w ith that of bone grafts at 16 sites in the same patients. Bioactive gl ass granules were used in facial bone defects in subperiosteal pockets and to obliterate frontal sinuses, whereas bioactive glass plates wer e used mostly in orbital wall reconstruction. Clinical examination, mi ddle face radiographs, and computed tomograms (CT) showed that the mat erial was well tolerated. A third of the glass granules and a quarter of the membranous bone grafts that were fixed with miniplates retained their original size. The glass plates did not change in size. Bone co ntact to the host bone was found more often with the bioactive glass p lates than with the bioactive grass granules or the bone grafts. Both the glass prates and the bone grafts retained their density, but there was a reduction in density of the glass granules. The clinical outcom e showed no relapses after one year's follow up. No further operations were needed because of the material used.