Abstract
Aims: We wanted to compare bioactive glass granules with autogenous bone in operative treatment of lateral condyle fractures. Methods: 25 patients, 12 females and 13 males, (from 36 to 69 years) were operated at our institute for lateral condyle fracture. The patients were randomized into autogenous bone (AB) and bioactive glass (BG) group. There were no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to genre, patient age, type of fracture or comminution and depression of the joint surface. The study protocol was approved by the local hospital ethical committee and written consent of the patients was achieved. A routine AO operation protocol was used in all patients. Prior to operation plain x-ray þlms and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) was performed in order to reveal the anatomy of the fracture. The postoperative follow-up included 3D CT, plain þlms and clinical examination after the operation and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 36 months. Results: The mean preoperative articular depression in the BG group was 9 mm (±4 mm) and in the AB group 7mm (±2 mm). Postoperatively the articular surface remained 2 mm (± 3 mm) depressed in both groups. Threafter the articular height remained unchanged. As evaluated by CT and plain þlms the bioactive glass granules were incorporated with the surrounding bone at 3 months. No adverse reactions due to bioactive glass were observed. The clinical results were equal in both groups. Conclusions: The clinical and radiological results using bioactive glass were as good as those when autogenous bone was used.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.