Equine-derived bone substitutes in orthopedics and traumatology: authors' experience.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the use of equine-derived bone grafts in the treatment of bone loss in a heterogeneous clinical case series. METHODS: The study population was 48 patients (29 males and 19 females; mean age, 49 years; range, 9-84); the orthopedic defect site was located on the right side in 22 and on the left side in 26 cases. The graft material was antigen-free equine-derived collagen bone cleaned with an enzymatic treatment. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic healing times were virtually similar; graft osseointegration needed from two to three months longer to heal. CONCLUSION: The outcome after grafting with an equine-derived bone substitute was satisfactory. Further study is needed to demonstrate its statistically significant effectiveness in the treatment of orthopedic defects like those in this series.