Hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly-l-lactide(PLLA) composite biomaterials are available for orthopedic applications, but bioresorption and cell-mediated inflammation in bone cortex are unknown. We conducted an 84-month follow-up study with Beagle dogs that were subjected to implants with either PLLA (left femur) or HA/PLLA (right femur). Histological and radiographic analysis showed that HA/PLLA screws induced significant increases in HA content from 36 months onward and complete burr hole closure at 60 months, whereas PLLA screws did not. Moreover, PLLA screws induced more severe fibrous tissue and histiocyte infiltration. HA/PLLA screws promote earlier burr hole replacement and have superior biocompatibility compared to PLLA screws.
PihlajamäkiHBöstmanORokkanenP. Absorbable polyglycolide and polylactide devices for fracture fixation. Surg Technol Int1998; 7: 395–401.
2.
RokkanenPUBöstmanOHirvensaloE. Bioabsorbable fixation in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology. Biomaterials2000; 21: 2607–2623.
3.
DeorioJKWareAW. Single absorbable polydioxanone pin fixation for distal chevron bunion osteotomies. Foot Ankle Int2001; 22: 832–835.
4.
PihlajamäkiHBöstmanOMHirvensaloE. Absorbable pins of self-reinforced poly-l-lactic acid for fixation of fractures and osteotomies. J Bone Joint Surg1992; 74-B: 857–863.
5.
TegnanderAEngebretsenIBerghK. Activation of the complement system and adverse effects of biodegradable pins of polylactic acid (Biofix) in osteochondritis dissecans. Acta Orthop Scand1994; 65: 472–475.
6.
HaraYTagawaMEjimaH. Clinical evaluation of uniaxially oriented poly-l-lactide rod for fixation of experimental femoral diaphyseal fracture in immature cats. J Vet Med Sci1994; 56: 1041–1045.
7.
HaraYTagawaMEjimaH. Application of oriented poly-l-lactide screws for experimental salter-Harris type 4 fracture in distal femoral condyle of the dog. J Vet Med Sci1994; 56: 817–822.
8.
BergsmaEJRozemaFRBosRR. Foreign body reactions to reconstructions to resorbable poly(l-lactide) bone plates and screws used for the fixation of unstable zygomatic fractures. J Oral Maxillofac Surg1993; 51: 666–670.
9.
MatsusueYNakamuraTSuzukiS. Biodegradable pin fixation of osteochondral fragments of the knee. Clin Orthop1996; 322: 166–173.
10.
VerheyenCCde WijinJRvan BlitterswijkCA. Hydroxyapatite/poly(l-lactide) composites: An animal study on push-out strengths and interface histology. J Biomed Mater Res1993; 27: 433–444.
11.
SaitoTIguchiASakuraiM. Biomechanical study of poly-l-lactide (PLLA) sterna pin in sterna closure after cardiothoracic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg2004; 77: 684–687.
12.
HasegawaSIshiiSTamuraJ. A 5–7 year in vivo study of high-strength hydroxyapatite/poly (l-lactide) composite rods for the internal fixation of bone fractures. Biomaterials2006; 27: 1327–1332.
13.
YasunagaTMatsusueYFurukawaT. Bonding behavior of ultrahigh strength unsintered hydroxyapatite particles/poly(l-lactide) composites to surface of tibial cortex in rabbits. J Biomed Mater Res1999; 47: 412–419.
14.
TatsumiAKanemitsuNNakamuraT. Bioabsorbable poly-l-lactide costal coaptation pins and their clinical application in thoracotomy. Ann Thorac Surg1999; 67: 765–768.
15.
WangMJosephRBonfieldW. Hydroxyapatite-polyethylene composites for bone substitution: Effect of ceramic particle size and morphology. Biomaterials1998; 19: 2357–2366.
16.
HenchLL. Bioceramics. J Am Ceram Soc1998; 81: 1705–1728.
17.
RamakrishnaSMayerJWintermantelE. Biomedical application of polymer-composite materials: A review. Compos Sci Technol2001; 61: 1189–1224.
18.
MatsusueYHanafusaSYamamuroT. Tissue reaction of bioabsorbable ultra high strength poly(l-lactide) rod. Clin Orthop Relat Res1995; 317: 246–253.
19.
HasegawaYSakanoSIwaseT. The long-term behavior of poly-l-lactide screws in minipig fracture model: Preliminary report. J Biomed Mater Res2002; 63: 679–685.
20.
IshiiSTamuraJFurukawaT. Long-term study of high-strength hydroxyapatite-poly(l-lactide) composite rods for the internal fixation of bone fractures: A 2–4 year follow-up study in rabbits. J Biomed Mater Res Part B2003; 66B: 539–547.
