Use of F18 bioglass putty for induced membrane technique in segmental bone defect of the radius in rabbits

Purpose:  To evaluate the inductive capacity of F18 bioglass putty on the induced membrane technique in a segmental bone defect of the rabbit’s radius.

Methods:  Ten female Norfolk at 24 months of age were used. The animals were randomly separated based on postoperative time points: five rabbits at 21 and four at 42 days. A 1-cm segmental bone defect was created in both radii. The bone defects were filled with an F18 bioglass putty.

Results:  Immediate postoperative radiographic examination revealed the biomaterial occupying the segmental bone defect as a well-defined radiopaque structure with a density close to bone tissue. At 21 and 42 days after surgery, a reduction in radiopacity and volume of the biomaterial was observed, with particle dispersion in the bone defect region. Histologically, the induced membrane was verified in all animals, predominantly composed of fibrocollagenous tissue. In addition, chondroid and osteoid matrices undergoing regeneration, a densely vascularized tissue, and a foreign body type reaction composed of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells were seen.

Conclusions:  the F18 bioglass putty caused a foreign body-type inflammatory response with the development of an induced membrane without expansion capacity to perform the second stage of the Masquelet technique.

Key words
Histology; Bone Substitutes; Bone Development; Materials Testing