title: Beta-tricalcium phosphate as a bone substitute for dorsal spinal fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: preliminary results of a prospective clinical study.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in granular form to achieve dorsal spondylodesis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Twenty-eight patients underwent surgical correction and were followed up for 13+/-8 (range 6-33) months. Posterolateral grafting was performed, using either autograft bone mixed with allograft bone (n=19; "bone group") or autograft bone mixed with 25 g TCP (n=9; "TCP group"). Patients were followed by clinical examination, X-rays and computed tomographic (CT) scans to measure bone mineral density. Fusion involved 12+/-1 (range 10-14) vertebrae. The segments were fused after 6+/-1 months in both groups according to the radiographs. No pseudarthrosis was observed. Bone mineral density was 430+/-111 (range 273-629) mg/cm3 in the TCP group versus 337+/-134 (range 130-669) mg/cm3 in the bone group. Resorption of TCP was complete on the radiographs after 8+/-2 (range 6-10) months. Based upon the results of this small preliminary study, the use of TCP appears to be a valuable alternative to allografts for application in the spine, even when large amounts of bone are needed.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Klinik der Charité, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany. Muschik@seehospital-sahlenburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muschik
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halbhübner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bursche
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stoll
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013131:Spine / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; C018392:tricalcium phosphate