Hydroxyapatite cement in craniofacial trauma surgery: indications and early experience.
OBJECTIVE
Reconstruction of the nonstress-bearing portions of the craniofacial skeleton has recently utilized several alloplastic compounds. One such recent compound is hydroxyapatite cement (HAC)--a calcium-phosphate-based product. Its chemical structure consists primarily of calcium phosphate, as does human bone, and this similarity in the mineral structure renders it biocompatible.


METHODS
Based on clinical indications for HAC, the authors have classified acquired craniofacial defects into four types. This article presents 5 clinical cases with craniofacial fractures, sustained in various accidents, in which hydroxyapatite cement was used to prevent cranial deformities or to reinstate contour.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications were encountered in some of these cases, but all patients healed without any secondary complications. While the short-term experience using hydroxyapatite cement in craniofacial trauma surgery has been favorable, long-term studies in humans are required to validate the safety and efficacy of this product.
Reddi
S P
SP
Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA.
Stevens
M R
MR
Kline
S N
SN
Villanueva
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D008297:Male; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery
D001843:Bone Cements; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; C475044:hydroxyapatite cement; D017886:Durapatite