Biological characteristics of porous tantalum:short-term application is clinically safe but the long-term effect needs to be further studied / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Porous tantalum, characterized as high porosity, low elastic modulus, high friction coefficient, stable biological properties, good compatibility and typical structural properties, has been the focus in medicine, especial y in orthopedics. ＜br> OBJECTIVE:To review the biological characteristics of porous tantalum, including its mechanical properties, compatibility, and biological activity. ＜br> METHODS:A computer-based search of PubMed, CSTJ, Wanfang and VIP databases was done for articles relevant to porous tantalum published from 1990 to 2014 using the keywords of“porous tantalum, biological character, orthopedic applications”both in English and Chinese. ＜br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Porous tantalum, with high porosity, low elastic modulus, high friction coefficient, and good compatibility, has become increasingly popular in medicine, especial y in orthopedics. At present, porous tantalum is used in the preparation of the integrated acetabular cup, total hip arthroplasty acetabular cup, acetabular reinforcing pad, porous tantalum metal rod, tibial plateau prosthesis and patel ar prosthesis and tibial plateau prosthesis. The short-term fol ow-up of porous tantalum implants in orthopedic surgery has been reported. And clinical data, radiology, histological analysis of the removed material have proved the practicability and safety of the porous tantalum. But the long-term effects of porous tantalum remain to be confirmed.