Cranial Defect Reconstruction in an Experimental Model Using Different Mixtures of Bioglass and Autologous Bone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate bone healing in a rabbit cranial defect model using different mixtures of bioglass (NovaBone C/M; Porex Surgical, Inc., Newnan, GA) and autologous bone with and without an overlying absorbable plate (Lactosorb; Walter Lorenz Surgical, Jacksonville, FL). Twelve rabbits were divided into three groups, and a 2 cm diameter cranial defect was created in each rabbit. Group I defects were filled with 80% bioglass and 20% autologous bone, group II with 60% bioglass and 40% autologous bone, and group III with 60% bioglass and 40% autologous bone with the addition of an absorbable plate placed directly over the reconstructed defect to help separate it from the overlying soft tissues. Rabbits were euthanized 6 months postoperatively. Histologic examination was then performed. The size of the remaining bone gap, area of reossification within the defect, and percentage of fibrous tissue within the defect were measured. Histologic analyses revealed that group II animals had an increased cross-sectional area of bone formation and decreased bone gap when compared with group I and III animals (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences between groups I and III with regard to bone formation. This study suggests that when combining bioactive glass and autologous bone for repairing cranial defects, a combination of 60% bioactive glass and 40% bone graft yields superior results to a combination of 80% bioactive glass and 20% bone graft. Placing an absorbable plate over a defect filled with 60% bioactive glass and 40% bone graft inhibits rather than promotes reossification.

Comparative study of chitosan/fibroin–hydroxyapatite and collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects: micro-computed tomography analysis

“…1,11,12 Many papers, in fact, have reported its use as a GBR membrane material. 13,15,16 Chitosan, derived from the natural polymer chitin, is a polyheterosaccharide composed of glucosamine and N-acetyglucosamine units linked by 1–4 glucosidic bonds.…”

“…It is also known to be biocompatible, non-toxic, non-inflammatory, and non-immunogenic, and it is capable of forming a direct chemical bond with surrounding hard tissues. 13 …”

Reprint of: Review of bioactive glass: From Hench to hybrids

“…A combination of NovaBone with 60% glass and 40% autologous bone stimulated more rapid bone regeneration than 80% glass and 20% bone in rabbit crania [95]. This indicates that natural bone is still the best scaffold for bone regeneration.…”

Evaluation of Parathyroid Hormone Bound to a Synthetic Matrix for Guided Bone Regeneration Around Dental Implants: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs

“…Various biomaterials were tested as candidate carriers for bioactive molecules. They include inorganic materials, such as: compositions of calcium phosphates 10 and bovine bone mineral; 1,11 natural polymers including some forms of collagen, 4 hyaluronic acid, 12 fibrin, 7 chitosan, 6 propylene glycol alginate, 13 and other animal‐ or plant‐derived biomaterials; 14 synthetic polymers like poly(methylethyl methacrylate), 15 poly(α‐hydroxy acids) (i.e., poly[lactide], poly[glycolide], and their copolymers [poly(DL‐lactide‐co‐glycolide] [PLGA]); 16 and composites as a combination of ceramics, 17 natural polymers, and synthetic polymers like polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1,18‐22 …”