Bone defects caused by fractures, tumors, inflammation, or degeneration remain a challenge to many surgical specialties. In order to achieve optimal healing, these defects must often be filled with bone replacement and/or regeneration material. Although autologous bone is the gold standard for many indications, the advantages of its osteoinductivity and availability are opposed by the risks of primary and secondary complications associated with harvesting. Additionally, autologous bone can lead to insufficient volume and /or low quality bone not only for older patients and children, but in the general population.

Many surgeons rely upon allografts, xenografts, or synthetic material to address this challenge. Athough the discussion regarding the possible transfer of disease carrying prions (e.g. vCJD) and the potential for immunological responses from biological materials has not lead to a consensus, patients must be informed about the risks. As these risk do not exist with fully synthetic materials, more and more surgeons are opting for fully synthetic materials (bioceramics). Bioceramics can be either non-resorbable (hydroxyapatite, α-tricalcium phosphate) or fully resorbable (β-tricalcium phosphate). Full resorbability has the added advantage that the bone is restored to the natural uninjured state with optimal strength and elasticity. Cerasorb^®, the worldwide standard pure phase β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is readily tolerated by the body, has no risks of biological infection or immunological response, and is fully replaced by the patient's own natural bone.

Cerasorb^®, the result of over 30 years of material development research, provides optimum support of the healing process in bone defects.

Consisting solely of calcium and phosphate, Cerasorb^® leads to an enhanced calcification of the new bone regeneration even with osteoporosis, smoking, and advanced age as inherent risk factors. The interconnecting micropore structure of Cerasorb^® permits rapid penetration by osteoblasts and enhances vascularization, while its uniform mechanical stability prevents premature disintegration into micro particles which can elicit macrophage activity. Cerasorb^® M granules can be mixed with blood, PRP, bone marrow aspirate, or autologous bone to provide enhanced healing of the defect. Cerasorb^® is also available in block form for special applications.