Osteoinductive Polymer Composite for Cranial and Maxillofacial Bone Repair

摘要

A biodegradable copolymer of polylactide: polyglycolide (PLA:PGA) was combined with allogeneic decalcified freeze-dried bone (DFDB) and implanted into 15 mm diameter defects in the calvaria of 26 New Zealand White rabbits. Similar defects were created in the calvaria of another 26 rabbits. These animals served as controls and did not receive copolymer implants. Upon sacrifice, both the implants and the controls were evaluated clinically, radiographically, and histomorphometrically using a Zeiss Image Analysis System. Both controls and implants were evaluated in groups at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. When compared with the control defects, the copolymer:DFDB composite implants displayed a significantly greater volume of trabecular bone (p<0.025). Two of the 15 mm diameter defects completely healed at 8 weeks. No adverse host tissue responses were observed histologically.