Artificial Bone Graft Substitutes for Curettage of Benign and Low-Grade Malignant Bone Tumors: Clinical and Radiological Experience with Cerasorb

BACKGROUND: Artificial bone graft substitutes (ABGS) for curettage of bone tumors are becoming increasingly popular. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine the efficacy of the ABGS Cerasorb (Curasan-AG, Kleinostheim, Germany), a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), concerning resorption profile, bone healing, and remodeling after surgery and to evaluate potential complications. METHODS: Forty-three patients suffering from benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors were treated with curettage and refilling of the bony cavity using the ABGS Cerasorb between 2018 and 2021 and included in the final analysis. Clinical follow-up exams with X-rays in two planes were performed 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 14.6 months, radiological consolidation following curettage was observed in all patients. Total resorption was observed in 16.3% of patients; in the other 83.7%, resorption was partial. In four patients, of whom two had a tumor in the distal femur and two in the humeral diaphysis, fractures occurred within 6 weeks after primary surgery. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the beta-TCP Cerasorb seems to be a reliable bone graft substitute with low complication rates and is a suitable alternative to autologous bone grafts or allografts. Nonetheless, it shows a tendency of delayed resorption. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective cohort study.