Effect of bioactive glass granules and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane on repair of cortical bone defect

Abstract

The effect of bioactive glass (BG) granules and nonresorbable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane on the repair of cortical bone defects was studied. Monocortical holes (diameter 3.0 mm) were drilled in rabbit tibia. Sixteen holes were filled with BG granules (diameter 630–800 μm). Twelve holes were left empty and covered with PTFE membrane. No material was used at ten control holes. All experiment areas were covered with periosteum attached to the soft tissue flap. Histomorphometric evaluation of resection specimens showed that new bone and glass particles formed a continuous bridge in the BG group at the upper part of the hole, occupying 73.6% and 61.7% of the defect at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. If only the amount of bone but not glass particles was included in the measurements the corresponding figures were 31.4% and 41.5%. The bone repair in the PTFE group was 12.1% and 11.3% and in the control group 25.1% and 23.3% at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. The results indicate that BG granules improve repair of cortical bone defects and PTFE membrane seems to impair bone formation in these defects.