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 surgery, two biphasic synthetic calcium phosphate ceramics BCP are made: the first, Eurocer 400, in granule form with a high interconnected porosity for void-filling, and the second, Eurocer 200, available in different shapes, 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 femoral stem loosening) are exposed with some technical details. The next 71 cases 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 incorporation is quickly seen in all the cases, faster with the filling substitute than with the second one, which, however, presents no mechanical failures when classical technical principles are respected. Finally, some histological 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 is recommended. Copyright 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers