Abstract
Restoration of bone stock is the single greatest challenge facing the revision hip surgeon today. This has been dealt with by means of impaction grafting with morsellised allograft from donor femoral heads.
Alternatives to allograft have been sought. This study investigates the use of a porous biphasic ceramic in impaction grafting of the femur.
Impaction grafting of the femur was performed in four groups of sheep. Group one received pure allograft, group two 50% allograft and 50% BoneSave, group three 50% allograft and 50% BoneSave 2 and group four 10% allograft and 90% BoneSave as the graft material.
Function was assessed by measuring peak vertical reaction forces. Changes in bone mineral density were measured by DEXA scanning. Loosening and subsidence were assessed radiographically and by examination of explanted specimens.
All outcome measures showed no statistically significant difference between the four groups after eighteen months of full function.
Conclusion: When used as allograft expanders, Bone-Save and similar porous biphasic ceramics perform as well as pure allograft in impaction grafting of the femur.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Tim Briggs. (Editoral Secretary 2003/4) Correspondence should be addressed to him at Lane Farm, Chapel Lane, Totternhoe, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2BZ, United Kingdom
