Physical and chemical aspects of calcium phosphates used in spinal surgery

In 1983, Brown and Chow [10] discovered the first calcium phosphate cement (CPC). This discovery opened a new era in the use of calcium phosphates (Ca P) as bone substitute. The first commercial CPC have now been introduced, a nd porous CaP with totally new properties should follow soon. In this artic le, the CaP traditionally used in spinal surgery are compared with these ne w CaP Particular emphasis is placed on the use of CPC for bone augmentation .