Cerasorb reliable bone graft substitute for curettage of benign bone tumors

Written By : Dr Supreeth D R |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-08-25T20:00:13+05:30 | Updated On 25 Aug 2023 8:00 PM IST

Benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors are usually treated with intralesional curettage. Subsequently, the bony cavity can be left empty or it can be filled with autologous or allogenic materials. Artificial bone graft substitutes (ABGS) for curettage of bone tumors are becoming increasingly popular.

Ulrike Susanne Wittig et al conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the efficacy of the ABGS Cerasorb (Curasan-AG, Kleinostheim, Germany), a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), concerning resorption profile, bone healing, and remodeling after surgery and to evaluate potential complications.

Cerasorb is a pure-phase β-TCP with precisely defined physical and chemo-crystalline properties and a high level of uniformity of chemical composition and purity. In contrast to alpha-tricalcium phosphates (α-TCP), β-TCP is thermodynamically stable in a biological environment and within a normal temperature range. Biodegradation is faster than that of α-TCP.

The study was conducted at Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria. It has been published in ‘Indian Journal of Orthopaedics’

43 patients suffering from benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors were treated with curettage and refilling of the bony cavity using the ABGS Cerasorb and included in the final analysis. Clinical follow-up exams with X-rays in two planes were performed 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.

Key findings of the study were:

• The study cohort consisted of 21 male and 22 female patients.

• Patients’ mean age at surgery was 42 years (range 15–70 years).

• After a mean follow-up period of 14.6 months, radiological consolidation following curettage was observed in all patients.

• Total resorption was observed in 16.3% of patients; in the other 83.7%, resorption was partial.

• In four patients, of whom two had a tumor in the distal femur and two in the humeral diaphysis, fractures occurred within 6 weeks after primary surgery.

“In conclusion, based on our short-term observation, the β-TCP Cerasorb seems to be a reliable bone graft substitute with low complication rates and is a suitable alternative to autologous bone grafts or allografts. Nonetheless, it shows a tendency of delayed resorption” the authors commented.

Level of Evidence III; retrospective cohort study.

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751