Journal
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY
Volume -, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/14574969231200650
Keywords
Biomaterials; orthopedics; orthopedic surgery; benign bone tumors; spinal fusion; fractures
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Biomaterials are widely used in orthopedic surgery to aid in bone healing and repair. There are a variety of biomaterials available, each with their own bioactive properties. Despite the increasing number of studies, there is still a lack of randomized controlled trials in this field. Most studies have found that biomaterials are suitable treatment options for various indications, but some don't perform as well as expected and are not recommended for clinical use.
Background: Biomaterials are routinely used in orthopedic surgery to fill bone defects, improve bone healing, and as degradable fixation material. A wide range of materials are currently in use, and the materials are chosen according to their bioactive properties. Osteoinductive materials stimulate bone healing by promoting osteogenesis. Osteoconductive materials facilitate bone growth on the surface of the material. Despite the many materials in use and an increasing number of published studies, randomized controlled trials on the subject are scarce. Methods: This review aims to summarize the history of biodegradable biomaterials and also the published level I evidence currently available on orthopedic biomaterials. Results: Most of the studies have been superiority trials with non-significant differences compared to conventional treatment options, confirming that several biomaterials are suitable treatment options for multiple indications including bone and/or tendon fixation, filling bone defects, and spinal fusion. Biomaterials help to avoid donor site complications associated with autogenous bone grafts and often eliminate the need for implant removal. However, the surgical technique may in some cases be more demanding than with conventional methods. Careful consideration of the pros and cons is therefore recommended in clinical practice. Conclusion: Biodegradable biomaterials complement the range of available treatment options in several fields of orthopedic surgery. However, some biomaterials performed worse than expected and were not recommended for clinical use, emphasizing the need for high-quality randomized trials. It is also noteworthy that several trials included only a limited number of patients, rendering the interpretation of the results of these underpowered studies challenging.
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