Comparison of hydroxyapatite and beta tricalcium phosphate as bone substitutes after excision of bone tumors

Long-term results are reported in 23 patients and short-term results in 30 patients presenting with bone tumors treated by curettage or resection followed by implantation of hydroxyapatite (HA) or highly purified beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), respectively. Mean follow-up was 97 and 26 months in cases involving HA implantation and beta-TCP implantation, respectively. Radiographs revealed HA incorporation into host bone in all but two cases; moreover, no obvious evidence of HA biodegradation was observed. A single patient exhibited late deformity following implantation of HA. All grafted beta-TCP was, at least partially, absorbed and replaced by newly formed bone. The mean period required for the disappearance of radiolucent zones between the ceramics and host bone was 17 weeks in HA and 9.7 weeks in beta-TCP. Highly purified beta-TCP appears to be advantageous relative to HA for surgical intervention in bone tumors consequent to the nature of remodeling and superior osteoconductivity.