VISCOSE CELLULOSE SPONGE AS AN IMPLANTABLE MATRIX - CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF GRANULATION-TISSUE

Since the 1950s a number of implantable substances have been used to s tudy granulation tissue formation: steel mesh, polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane, and viscose cellulose s ponges (VCS). The side effects of these materials on granulation tissu e formation vary considerably. An ideal material does not interfere wi th the normal wound-healing process and collects as many cells as poss ible for further analysis. Viscose cellulose sponge has been shown to be one of the most inert materials for this purpose. In this study we examined the correlation between changes in the structure of the spong e and the number of cells harvested and the synthesis of granulation t issue after subcutaneous implantation in rats. It was discovered that it is possible to control the structure of the sponge and by certain c hanges in this structure increase the number of invading cells and the production of granulation tissue in the sponge. There is, however, a distinct plateau after which changes in structure do not increase the number of invading cells and the production of granulation tissue in t he sponge. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.