title: Porous polymethylmethacrylate as bone substitute in the craniofacial area.
abstract: In craniofacial surgery, alloplastic materials are used for correcting bony defects. Porous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a biocompatible and nondegradable bone cement. Porous PMMA is formed by the classic bone cement formulation of methylmethacrylate liquid and PMMA powder in which an aqueous biodegradable carboxymethylcellulose gel is dispersed to create pores in the cement when cured. Pores give bone the opportunity to grow in, resulting in a better fixation of the prostheses. We evaluated the long-term results (n = 14), up to 20 years, of augmentations and defect fillings in the craniofacial area, with special interest in possible side effects and bone ingrowth. The evaluation consisted of a questionnaire, a physical examination, and a computed tomography (CT) scan. There were no side effects that could be ascribed to the porous PMMA. Twelve CT scans showed bone ingrowth into the prostheses, proving the validity behind the concept of porous PMMA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marco L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bruens
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pieterman
authors.forename: Joost R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Wijn
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vaandrager
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000737:chemistry; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010808:Physical Examination; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013499:Surface Properties; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D005782:Gels; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium