Beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramic as a bone substitute in orthopaedic surgery.

Synthetic beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramic (Biosorb, S.B.M., Lourdes, France) was used as a bone substitute in 110 patients whose mean age was 48 (14-83) years. There was a wide spectrum of indications, and the material was used alone in 86, combined with a corticocancellous bone autograft in 22, and combined with a corticocancellous allograft in two. The patients were assessed clinically and radiographically. Incorporation of the ceramic was excellent in 30, good in 51, and fair in 26. There were no poor results. In three patients the implanted material was removed because of infection. Incorporation was good or excellent in about 75% of all 110 patients. We consider beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramic to be the substitute of choice for medium-sized bone defects.