T. Furukawa et al., Biodegradation behavior of ultra-high-strength hydroxyapatite/poly (L-lactide) composite rods for internal fixation of bone fractures, BIOMATERIAL, 21(9), 2000, pp. 889-898
The purpose of this study was to investigate the biodegradation behavior of
the ultra-high-strength hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide) (HA/PLLA) composite
rods for fracture repair. Two kinds of composite materials were used in th
is study: u-HA/PLLA, which contained 30% by weight of uncalcined HA as rein
forcing particles, and c-HA/PLLA, which contained 30% by weight of calcined
HA as reinforcing particles. These composite rods were implanted in the su
bcutis and in the medullary cavities of rabbits. The specimens were removed
at specific intervals between 2 and 52 weeks and the mechanical strength w
as measured for the rods in the subcutis, and the molecular weight and crys
tallinity were measured for the rods in both the subcutis and medullary cav
ities. The rod surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope
(SEM). The specimens were examined histologically by light microscopy. The
bending strength of the composites implanted in the subcutis was maintained
at more than 200 MPa at 25 weeks and at 150 MPa at 52 weeks. The molecular
weight dropped to 45% of the initial values at 8 weeks and to approximatel
y 10% at 52 weeks. Significant differences in the molecular weight were see
n between c-HA/PLLA and u-HA/PLLA, with u-HA/PLLA showing a faster rate of
decrease than c-HA/PLLA after 8 weeks. SEM demonstrated that HA particles d
isappeared increasingly from the rod surfaces over time and that the spaces
left by these HA particles formed many pores in the composite surfaces at
52 weeks. Histologically, a fibrous tissue layer was formed around the comp
osite rod from 4 weeks in the subcutis and in the diaphyseal area of the me
dullary canal. This became more mature over time. Bony tissue contact to th
e composites without fibrous tissue lavers was seen in the metaphyseal area
of the medullary canal. During the experimental period, there were no infl
ammatory cells such as mono- or multi-nuclear phagocytes. Although further
long-term studies for degradation are needed, the composites have promising
mechanical strength and no adverse tissue reaction for use as fracture-fix
ation devices during the experimental periods. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt
d. All rights reserved.