EVALUATION OF PARTICULATE BIOGLASS(R) IN A RABBIT RADIUS OSTECTOMY MODEL

Osseous defects and fractures may require supplimentation to support a nd promote healing. Bioglass(R) (BG) may be a useful therapeutic for t hese conditions. Therefore, we executed a study to determine whether p articulate BG could promote healing of 20-mm unilateral ostectomies in the radius of rabbits. Ostectomies were either treated with BG or rem ained untreated in the control (CTL) group. At 4 and 8 weeks post-trea tment, ostectomies were assessee. histomorphometrically and biomechani cally. New bone formation was more intense contiguous to the host bone for both BG and CTL than centrally, yet BG animals displayed active m ineralization throughout the ostectomy. The amount of bone within BG-f illed defects was greater than CTLs at 4 weeks,whereas, at 8 weeks the re was no difference. Biomechanically, the BG-treated limbs required m ore torque to break than did CTL limbs at 4 weeks; however differences were not significantly different. By 8 weeks, the BG-treated and CTLs , had comparable strength. Bioglass(R) may be a useful therapy to prod uce the early phase of osseous repair. However, improvements in handli ng properties of the particles will be needed to enhance efficacy. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.