Clinical applications of Norian SRS (calcium phosphate cement) in craniofacial reconstruction in children: our experience at Hospital La Paz since 2001.
OBJECTIVE
The reconstructive surgeon has been searching for an ideal material to use in the reconstruction of craniofacial deformities. Although bone graft presents most of the ideal properties, its limited availability and donor-site morbidity makes its use compromised in some patients, especially in pediatric patients. In the search of this ideal material, calcium phosphate cements have shown promising results in patients with craniofacial deformities, because of its unlimited availability, avoidance of donor-site morbidity, and long-term maintenance.


METHODS
We report our experience at the Pediatric Division of Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, since 2001, in the use of Norian SRS (calcium phosphate cement; Norian, Cupertino, CA) for the treatment of secondary craniofacial deformities. Clinical charts are retrospectively reviewed, paying attention to gender, age, pathologic conditions, previous surgeries, and the clinical applications of this kind of calcium phosphate cement. Complications are also reviewed.


RESULTS
Five patients have been treated for different craniofacial malformations, using Norian SRS as a part of the surgical procedure. The main indication was frontal and cranial irregularities. Temporal hollowing was also reconstructed with the calcium phosphate cement. All patients, except for 1, recuperated successfully. One patient suffered a wound dehiscence with subsequent infection of the material.


CONCLUSIONS
Norian SRS offers craniofacial surgeons an option in the treatment of pediatric patients with diverse craniofacial malformations, although special attention must be paid to the risk of infections in selected patients.
Gómez
Elena
E
University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain. hortensia4@hotmail.com
Martín
Mercedes
M
Arias
Javier
J
Carceller
Fernando
F
D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology
D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C496047:Norian SRS Cement