Reconstruction of post-traumatic frontal-bone depression using hydroxyapatite cement

The safety and efficacy of hydroxyapatite cement (Bone Source, Howmedica, Leibinger, Inc. Dallas, TX) use for the augmentation of post-traumatic frontal-bone depression was evaluated in a study of 20 consecutive oriental patients between June 1998 and July 2000 inclusively. The size of the depressed frontal bone ranged from 5 x 5 cm to 8 x 5 cm. The cement was placed in contact with the frontal sinus for 12 patients, none of whom revealed a history of paranasal sinus mucoperiosteal disease. Follow-up averaged 28 months for all 20 patients. Postimplantation evaluations included serial photographs, repeated physical examination, and 3-dimensional computed tomography for all patients. The cement paste allowed for precise and easy contouring of the bony depression's restoration. Meticulous hemostasis is essential to ensure a dry surgical field and successful application of the cement. No infection of the surgical site or extrusion of the cement was noted for any of our patients, and the contour of the reconstructed frontal bone was acceptable esthetically without any secondary depression noted during the follow-up period. Three-dimensional computed tomographic scans taken 2 years subsequent to implantation revealed good preservation of the cement restoration material. Small areas of cement loss due to cement absorption into the ambient fluid were noted for 2 patients, but such resorption did not appear to esthetically influence the final results. The results from this clinical study indicated that hydroxyapatite cement is a biocompatible, alloplastic material useful for augmentation of post-traumatic frontal-bone depression with stable volume maintenance over time. Judicious use of the hydroxyapatite cement offers an alternative to autogenous bone grafts or the use of methyl methacrylate for augmentation of the craniofacial skeleton among oriental patients.