Abstract
The aim of this study is to present and discuss some preliminary applications of tricalcium phosphate “Norian” in children and adolescents with different skeletal disorders. From 1997 to 2002 Norian was used as a biological bone substitute in 10 patients (six girls and four boys; mean age 11 years). The indications were four calcaneal cysts, one phalangeal enchondroma of the hand, one chondromyxoid fibroma of the tibia, one eosino-philic granuloma of the femur and one aneurysmal cyst of the tibia. Norian was also used as a bone graft in two Dega’s pelvic osteotomies. Follow-up was performed radiologically and clinically.
There was one deep infection in a calcaneal cyst which completely healed after curettage and antibiotic therapy and one soft tissue transitory painful reaction to Norian. All cases healed without complication and there was progressive osteointegration at radiological follow-up.
This preliminary study, even with different pathologies and a short follow-up, shows good biocompatibility of the material in the short- and mid-term, with satisfactory clinical results. Mechanical stability under compressive and shearing loads was detected when load bearing was allowed after 30 days in all cases.
Norian tricalcic phosphate is a good and strong bone substitute when a large autologus graft is needed as seen with distal fractures of the radius, tibial plateau and Dega’s pelvic osteotomy.
