This study related to the preparation of chitosan microspheres by means of reacting chitosan with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and glutaralclehyde by crosslinking reaction in the oil phase, followed by de-oil and purification processes to get the product. Three cement composites, Pure P, C1P1, and C2P1, were prepared by the polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement in the presence of 0, 50, and 66.7%, chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres, respectively. The result revealed the chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres obtained was in the size range of 50-150 mum. The presence of chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres in the prepared composites decreased the ultimate tensile strength, whereas the modulus remained the same as compared with the commercial PMMA bone cement. Addition of chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres into commercial PMMA cement significantly improved the handling property of the cement paste-that is, the increased setting time and less stickiness behavior of this paste was beneficial, in manipulation, to the operation and easier fittings to the shape and gap of the bony defect and interface. The decreased curing temperature was also less harmful to the surrounding tissues. From scanning electron micrograph observations, chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres can completely mix with bone cement powder and the prepared composites could provide scaffold for osteoblast cells growth and thus improve defects of commercial PMMA bone cement. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.