Characterization of bone remodeling of two different porous types of ß-tricalcium phosphates: a quantitative site-by-site analysis using computed tomography.

This study compared the process of bone remodeling using spherical porous ß-tricalcium phosphate (SPTCP) and unidirectional porous ß-tricalcium phosphate (UDPTCP) by quantitative computed tomography (CT) analysis. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 16 patients (4 men, 12 women; age, 43-78 years) who underwent medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. Nine patients used SPTCP spacers and seven patients used UDPTCP spacers. CT was performed at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. CT attenuation values were measured at three sites on the axial slice and sagittal slice, i.e., the superior, center, and inferior sites and the lateral, center, and medial sites for UDPTCP and SPTCP, respectively. CT attenuation values were lower for UDPTCP than for SPTCP in all sites at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.05). CT attenuation values decreased in the superior and inferior sites for UDPTCP (p < 0.05), and CT attenuation values decreased in the lateral site for both SPTCP and UDPTCP (p < 0.05). The process of bone remodeling differed between the two over a short-term follow-up of 1 year postoperatively.

Unidirectional porous beta-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite artificial bone: a review of experimental evaluations and clinical applications.

In Japan, where allograft bone transplantation is not widespread, prospects for artificial bones are very high. Therefore, artificial bones with various compositions, porous structures, and porosities have been developed and employed for clinical use. Both Affinos® and Regenos® (made of beta-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite, respectively) are artificial bones with a unique unidirectional porous structure, in which pores with a diameter suitable for tissue penetration (25-300 µm) are aligned in one direction. The unidirectional porous structure allows rapid penetration of blood deep into the materials by a capillary effect. In animal experiments, Affinos® showed well-balanced resorption and was replaced with the host's own bone from an early stage after implantation and new bone formation and remodeling were observed in the cortical bone and medullary cavity. When implanted for clinical situation, resorption from an early stage and good replacement with the patient's own bone were also observed. Regenos® has an internal osteon-like material and a vascular-like structure that is maintained within the pores even after long-term implantation, as noted in an animal experiment. When implanted for clinical situation, good osteoconductivity was observed from an early stage of implantation. In addition, the material was observed to be slowly absorbed over time in some cases. We have discussed the beneficial effects of combining teriparatide and platelet-rich plasma impregnation and the potential prospects of these artificial bones.

A radiological study of bone remodeling with two different types of porous ß-tricalcium phosphate in humans.

In this study we compared the bone remodeling of unidirectional (UDPTCP) and spherical porous ß-tricalcium phosphate (SPTCP) radiologically in humans. We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of 14 patients (sex, nine men and five women; age, 37-70 years) who underwent medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and were followed up for 12 months after surgery. Two wedge-shaped ß-TCPs (one UDPTCP and one SPTCP) were cut and placed parallel to each other in the gap. In Group A (eight knees), UDPTCP was implanted anteriorly and SPTCP posteriorly, while in Group B (six knees), SPTCP was implanted anteriorly and UDPTCP posteriorly. Computed tomography (CT) was performed at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, with the CT attenuation values calculated for UDPTCP and SPTCP. In Groups A and B, the CT attenuation values for UDPTCP were significantly lower at 6 and 12 months after surgery compared to those at 1 week (P < 0.05); nevertheless, no statistical difference in the comparison with SPTCP was observed. After a short-term follow-up of 12 months following MOWHTO, UDPTCP provided earlier bone remodeling than SPTCP. This outcome was achieved regardless of the position, anterior or posterior, in the MOWHTO gap.