OSSEOUS WOUND-HEALING WITH XENOGENEIC BONE IMPLANTS WITH A BIODEGRADABLE CARRIER

Abstract

Human antigen-extracted autolyzed (AA) bone and a bovine bone morphogenetic protein were prepared as implants within biodegradable carriers and compared with autogenous bone grafts and controls in the healing of critical-size bony defect in nonhuman primates. The treated craniotomy sites were studied 3 and 6 months after surgery; radiodensity and volume of newly deposited trabecular bone were assessed by radiomorphometric and histomorphometric methods, respectively. There was no evidence of adverse immunologic response to the experimental implants. The autografts resulted in the greatest volume of new bone formtion (p < 0.01), but the AA implants elicited a significantly greater response than either the bovine bone morphogenetic protein derivatives or the the controls (p < 0.05). By 6 months, the AA derivatives had healed with actively coalescing island of new bone displaying normal-appearing outer and inner tables long with well-developed marrow cavities. It appears that xenogeneic AA implants have the ability to elicit an excellent osseous response in critical-size calvarial wounds. In addition, the carrier polymer for the implants acted as an effective soft-tissue spacer before being absorbed.