Calcium Hydroxyapatite Ceramic: Use in Bone Tumor Surgery

Abstract

Defects in bone, as a result of surgical treatment for bone tumors, are a frequent occurrence. These defects are usually filled with bone graft for which autogenous bone is used in most cases. It may be difficult, however, to obtain the amount required. Moreover, the wound over the iliac crest, made for obtaining autogenous bone, is frequently more painful than the original operation for which the bone was required. There is thus an obvious need for a synthetic material which can be used in place of a bone graft. Calcium hydroxyapatite ceramic (CHA) is a nontoxic substance, provoking little reaction from tissues, and which has many properties, both chemical and physical, that might make it a suitable alternative to bone grafts. Therefore, CHA may be preferable for filling defects that occur after resection and curettage of benign bone tumors.