Calcium phosphate cements improve bone density when used in osteoporotic sternums.

OBJECTIVE

Calcium phosphate cements control bleeding and are safe to use in osteoporotic sternums during open heart surgery. We looked at the clinical and radiographic effects of this agent on bone healing.

METHODS

Since March 2006, 18 patients had calcium phosphate cement inserted in their sternal tables at heart surgery. They were followed-up by office visits and chest computed tomographic (CT) scans. All preoperative and postoperative CT chest scans were evaluated for cement absorption, bone replacement, and bone density.

RESULTS

Five preoperative and 41 postoperative CT chest scans were available for evaluation. Median interval from surgery to CT scan was 531 days (range, 3 to 966 days). At follow-up there were neither clinical dehiscences nor nonunions of the sternums. Calcium phosphate cement appears to reabsorb quickly, but not completely. Five patients with pre-surgical CT chest scans demonstrated an average, improved bone density of 281.66 Hounsfield units at follow-up (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

In each patient, cement was replaced by new bone, and there is evidence that more bone is present as a result of cement use.