Hydroxyapatite cement: an alternative for craniofacial skeletal contour refinements

Hydroxyapatite cement is a calcium phosphate preparation composed of tetrac alcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous powders. When mixed with water it isothermically forms a paste which can easily be shaped intraoper atively. This mixture sets in approximately 15-20 min and converts into wat er insoluble, nonceramic, microporous hydroxyapatite in 4 h. This biomateri al tvas used to correct either congenital or traumatic craniofacial contour irregularities or deficiencies in 20 patients. On follow-up there was only one patient who required repeat surgery for further correction, there were no other complications. The good cosmetic results, the ease of operation, the pliability of the cement paste allowing precise moulding during applica tion, the short operation time and the avoidance of a donor site makes hydr oxyapatite cement an attractive material for treating craniofacial contour defects. Careful long term follow-up is necessary to establish its safety a nd reliability. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.