Bioglass is an alternative to autologous bone graft to treat bony defects in orthopaedics. It has the advantages of being bioactive, osteostimulative and antibacterial. We conducted a retrospective study on 30 patients surgically treated for either a septic non-union, aseptic non-union or osteomyelitis, with Bonalive® as part of the treatment. Bioglass put in the bone defects alone (15 patients), in presence of autograft (8 patients) or allograft (7 patients).
Our primary outcome was the need for a revision surgery following a surgical treatment with Bonalive®. We included in the complications the need for a revision surgery. Our secondary outcomes were the presence of a documented infection, the removal of the implant including bioglass. and radiological consolidation.
Twenty-one patients out of thirty (70%) did not need a revision surgery during the follow up of 19.8 months (range 3 to 55 months). Infection eradication was achieved in 6/6 patients treated for an osteomyelitis, 10/12 patients treated for a septic non-union, three patients treated for an aseptic non-union (3/12) presented an infection during follow-up. Bioglass was removed in eight patients. Consolidation was achieved in nineteen patients (63%). We found less complications in patients treated with Bonalive® alone compared to its use with autograft or allograft, but the difference was not statistically significant. We find bioglass safe to use in combination with autograft and allografts in septic sites.