curasan AG: Cerasorb(R) M Used Successfully During Acetabular Cup Replacement

Germany, May 18th, 2009 – curasan AG presented its innovative medical products for regenerative orthopaedics (orthobiologics) under the umbrella brand Cerasorb® at the trade show held in conjunction with the 57th annual congress of the Association of South-German Orthopaedic Surgeons in Baden-Baden. Interest was primarily focused on the bone substitute material Cerasorb® M with its successful use in acetabular cup revisions being highlighted in one of the lectures: Dr. S. Berger, a member of the working group headed by Prof. C. H. Siebert at the Orthopaedic Clinic, Annastift, Hanover, reported about the positive experiences relating to the use of the bone substitute material for the filling of defects during hip endoprostheses replacement procedures.

Orthopaedic surgeons achieved good bone consolidation with Cerasorb® M in over 30 patients between the ages of 60 and 90 years. “Because of the aging population, orthopaedic surgeons will be increasingly confronted with the problem of cup loosening in older patients”, explained Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Hübner, Director of the Medical Division at curasan AG, before adding: “This will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of revision procedures required.”

Particularly in older women, bone stock instability frequently becomes apparent during operations. This has been the reason for the frequent use of bone cement to fill defects, which however makes further replacements very difficult. Many patients also do not have enough endogenous bone to fill large defects. This provided the impetus for Prof. C. H. Siebert and Dr. S. Berger to investigate the use of the Cerasorb® M bone substitute and construction material for this issue: The orthopaedic surgeons used Cerasorb® M (ß-tricalcium phosphate) in over 30 operations – in 13 of these cases mixed with autogenous bone. The subsequent observation period was at least 2 years.

In 27 cases, treatment results were satisfactory, even though four patients received replacement under septic conditions. “These results are clearly attributable in large measure to Cerasorb® M's phase purity of over 99%”, stated Dr. Hübner, before continuing: “Furthermore, there is no potential for disease transmission with Cerasorb® M, in contrast to established products made from human or bovine bone material.” The use of Cerasorb® M for the filling of defects during hip endoprosthesis replacement procedures leads to outstanding bone consolidation.

The newly formed autogenous bone also creates a good basis for any potential subsequent procedures that may be necessary. With older patients, Cerasorb® M can be used either alone or in combination with bone. Regardless of the patients’ age, Cerasorb® M has been demonstrated to be a good alternative to classic bone cement for the filling of defects during endoprostheses revisions. Featuring over 400 lectures, workshops and seminars, the 57th annual congress of the Association of South-German Orthopaedic Surgeons e.V. was a high-class, interdisciplinary information forum for orthopaedic surgeons.

The annual event also featured a trade show with over 160 industry exhibitors, including curasan AG. Background information about curasan AG: curasan AG is publicly traded (ISIN: DE 000 549 4 and is one of the leading firms in the field of bone and tissue regeneration. In addition to the synthetic Cerasorb® bone regeneration material, the company has developed a future-oriented product pipeline. The goal during the next few years is to bring further medical products to market readiness and to market them via well-positioned contractual partners in various submarkets.

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