A synthetic aragonite-based ceramic as a bone graft substitute and substrate for antibiotics

The present material is a non-sintered porous synthetic carbonate in its me tastable modification under ambient pressure, i.e. aragonite, for bone reco nstruction and drug carrying. The crystal structure, density, morphology an d granulometry of the synthetic aragonite are characterized. Thr powdered a ragonite is used for processing non-sintered porous ceramics. The influence of process parameters on porosity is investigated. In vivo biocompatibilit y, resorption and bone formation have been evaluated after implantation of selected materials in femurs of sheep. Preliminary results show a mineraliz ation of the implant sites and the complete resorption of implants at 6 mon ths. Two antibiotics Metronidazole and Gentamicin were incorporated into ma terials without alteration or degradation. This incorporation of therapeuti c agents in the first stages of the process, and particularly before compac tion, allows a controlled drug loading of the biomaterial. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.