Cancellous bone repair using bovine trabecular bone matrix particulates

At 5 and 15 weeks post-surgery, biomechanical and histological analyses of cancellous bone defects filled with the bovine trabecular bone matrix (BBM) and hydroxyapatite (Hap) particulates of dimensions 106-150 mum were inves tigated. It was observed that at 5 weeks post-surgery the stiffness propert ies of the BBM filled defects were significantly higher than those observed in the Hap filled defects (p <0.01) but comparable to those recorded in in tact cancellous bone from the same anatomical position. Histologically, no significant differences were observed in the percentage of new bone contact with the particles. The biomechanical properties of the Hap filled defects mirrored those in intact cancellous bone only at 15 weeks post-surgery. BB M particles thus appeared to accelerate the early healing of osteotomies. I t is therefore suggested that particles of this bioceramic be the subject o f intense research for more usage in both periodontal osseous defects and o rthopaedic fractures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.