title: Calcium phosphate ceramics as bone graft substitutes in filling bone tumor defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synthetic bio-inert materials are currently used as an alternative to autogenous bone graft. Calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) and Beta tri-calcium phosphate (beta-TCP), which belong to the calcium phosphate ceramics group, are biocompatible and osteo-conductive. The purpose of this study is to analyse the use of HA and beta-TCP in their ceramic forms as a bone graft substitute in filling bone voids after curettage of benign bone tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients in the age range of 3.5-55 years (mean 14.3 years) having benign bone tumors with bone defects were filled with bone graft substitute following curettage. In 20 patients bone defects were filled with block/granules of HA ceramic and in four with beta-TCP. Fibular strut graft was packed with HA in four patients. The patients were followed up for an average of 18 months (range 12-36 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The functional status of the patients at follow-up was evaluated and compared with preoperative functional status. Early incorporation of graft substitutes became evident radiologically between 6 and 10 weeks (Stage I). Complete incorporation (Stage III) was observed in an average of nine months (6-18 months). Clinical healing was observed before radiological healing. The average time taken to return to preoperative function was 14 weeks. There was no recurrence of lesion or growth retardation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium hydroxyapatite and beta-TCP are excellent bone graft substitutes for autogenous bone graft in filling voids after curettage of benign bone tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India. drkabul_saikia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhuyan
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jitesh