The body reaction to carbon fibre particles implanted into the medullary space of rabbits.
It is thought that abrasion particles can produce a tissue reaction when alloplastic material is used for prosthetic devices. Therefore it is important to examine the reaction of the tissues and the body to microparticles before introducing a new material. Carbon reinforced carbon is a new material which is suitable for artificial joints because of its physical properties (strength and elasticity). Carbon fibre fragments with a diameter of 7 microns and a length between 20-100 microns were injected in the medullary canal of 16 rabbits, and evaluated after periods of 2 and 12 weeks. Phagocytosis of small carbon fibre fragments by macrophages occurs, but only a minimal foreign body reaction to the intramedullary carbon fibre fragments. There is a small amount of fibrosis around some carbon fibres and a small amount of new bone formation with inclusion of carbon. Only a few carbon fragments are transported to the parenchymal organs. There is no foreign body reaction.
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon