A new, pluronic-based, bone hemostatic agent that does not impair osteogenesis

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative bone hemostasis can be accomplished using surgica l beeswax (bone wax). However, bone wax locally interferes with osteogenesi s, and its use is avoided when bone fusion is critical. We describe the use of a Pluronic copolymer blend as a biocompatible, absorbable, hemostatic a gent. METHODS: A rat femur defect model and a femur gap nonunion model were used. For each surgical model, 24 rats were divided into three treatment groups, i.e., those receiving bone wax implants, Pluronic (90% Pluronic P85/10% Pl uronic F88) implants, or no implants (control group). After 10, 21, or 42 d ays, animals were killed and femora were removed for radiographic analysis and hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: In the femur defect model, no differences were observed between th e Pluronic-treated and control groups; hematoxylin and eosin staining demon strated bone formation and osteocytes within the defect. In the femur gap n onunion model, no fusions occurred in any group. Development of an osseous callus at the gap site was observed for the control and Pluronic-treated gr oups. In both models, rats that received bone wax implants exhibited no oss eous growth. CONCLUSION: The Pluronic blend exhibits handling properties similar to thos e of bone wax, readily achieves hemostasis, and does not inhibit bone regro wth. Pluronic compounds may serve as effective absorbable hemostatic agents for the treatment of bone bleeding in sites where fusion is critical. in a ddition, this copolymer blend may find use as a vehicle for the short-term release of pharmacological agents, which may further reduce the incidence o f infections, reduce inflammation, and improve fusion rates.