A composite polymer/tricalcium phosphate membrane for guided bone regeneration in maxillofacial surgery

The aim of the study was the development of a resorbable membrane for guide d bone regeneration (GBR) with improved biocompatibility, which should be s tiff enough to avoid membrane collapse during bone healing. Combining a bio active ceramic with a resorbable polymer may improve the biocompatibility a nd osteoconductivity of resorbable devices. The present article describes t he preparation, the mechanical properties, and the in vitro degradation cha racteristic of a composite membrane made of poly(L, DL-lactide) and a-trica lcium phosphate in comparison to a membrane made of pure poly(L, DL-lactide ). The tensile strength and the elastic modulus as well as the molecular we ight of the membranes were measured after ill vitro degradation in buffer a t 37 degreesC up to 28 weeks. The initial tensile strength of the composite and the polymer membrane was 37.3 +/- 2.4 MPa and 27.7 +/- 2.3 MPa and the elastic modulus 3106 +/- 108 MPa and 3101 +/- 104 MPa, respectively. The m echanical properties remained constant up to 8 weeks and then decreased slo wly until week 28. The molecular weight of both membranes decreased steadil y from 170,000 D to 30,000 D. It was concluded that the mechanical requirem ents for a membrane for GBR were fulfilled by the composite. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.