The effect of polytetrafluoroethylene cylinders on osteogenesis in rat fibular defects: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the use of a hollow polytetrafluorethylene stent on the healing of continuity defects in the rat fibula.


METHODS
Twenty-one animals were divided into four groups. Group 1 (n = 10) had an 8-mm segment of bone and periosteum removed with no interpositional stent. Group 2 (n = 10) had bone removed, but the periosteum was maintained and no stent was placed. Group 3 (n = 11) had bone and periosteum removed and placement of a stent. Group 4 (n = 10) had only bone removed and placement of a stent. The animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks and the defects were evaluated clinically and radiographically.


RESULTS
Radiographic analysis showed that nine of 10 fracture gaps in group 1 failed to heal. In group 2, seven of 10 gaps did not heal; three showed partial calcification. In group 3, four of 11 gaps were nonhealed, five showed partial calcification, and two showed complete calcification. In group 4, only two of 10 gaps failed to heal, seven showed partial calcification, and one was completely calcified. Clinical evaluation showed a similar trend.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that guided tissue regeneration could potentially be used to bridge continuity defects without the need for a graft.
Bluhm
A E
AE
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Laskin
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D005360:Fibula; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010521:Periosteum / Q000502:physiology; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015607:Stents
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene