Biphasic synthetic bone substitute use in orthopaedic and trauma surgery: clinical, radiological and histological results

Searching for an alternative to bone grafts in orthopedic and trauma surger y, two biphasic synthetic calcium phosphate ceramics BCP are made: the firs t, Eurocer 400 (R), in granule form with a high interconnected porosity for void-filling, and the second, Eurocer 200 (R), available in different shap es, with a good mechanical resistance in compression. Two hundred cases are reported with more than a six-month follow-up. The first 72 cases relating to hip arthroplasty revision surgery (29 involving acetabular and 43 femor al stem loosening) are exposed with some technical details. The next 71 cas es concerning trauma and sequels are displayed with technical particulars. The remaining 57 other cold orthopedic indications are then enumerated. The very good biocompatibility of these ceramics is confirmed. Radiological in corporation is quickly seen in all the cases, faster with the filling subst itute than with the second one, which, however, presents no mechanical fail ures when classical technical principles are respected. Finally, some histo logical studies are presented; the ceramics are progressively resorbed and bone reconstruction in and close to the substitutes is noticed. Therefore, the use of biophasic ceramics in almost all orthopedic and trauma surgery i s recommended. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.