Purpose: The reconstructive surgeon has been searching for an ideal material to use in the reconstruction of craniofacial deformities. Although bone graft presents most of the ideal properties, its limited availability and donor-site morbidity makes its use compromised in some patients, especially in pediatric patients. In the search of this ideal material, calcium phosphate cements have shown promising results in patients with craniofacial deformities, because of its unlimited availability, avoidance of donor-site morbidity, and long-term maintenance.
Materials and methods: We report our experience at the Pediatric Division of Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, since 2001, in the use of Norian SRS (calcium phosphate cement; Norian, Cupertino, CA) for the treatment of secondary craniofacial deformities. Clinical charts are retrospectively reviewed, paying attention to gender, age, pathologic conditions, previous surgeries, and the clinical applications of this kind of calcium phosphate cement. Complications are also reviewed.
Results: Five patients have been treated for different craniofacial malformations, using Norian SRS as a part of the surgical procedure. The main indication was frontal and cranial irregularities. Temporal hollowing was also reconstructed with the calcium phosphate cement. All patients, except for 1, recuperated successfully. One patient suffered a wound dehiscence with subsequent infection of the material.
Conclusion: Norian SRS offers craniofacial surgeons an option in the treatment of pediatric patients with diverse craniofacial malformations, although special attention must be paid to the risk of infections in selected patients.