[Chitosan pin fixation of rabbit proximal tibia osteotomy].
Degradatable chitosan pin, 4 millimeters in diameter and 30 to 40 millimeters in length, was studied radiographically and histologically (oxytetracycline-labeling) at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after the implantation for fixation of a transverse proximal tibia osteotomy in fourty rabbits. The results showed that new bone formation and oxytetracycline uptake were increased 3-6 weeks after operation and the fracture was completely healed 12 weeks after operation, but in two rabbits the chitosan pin broke, in 3 weeks. Histologically, there was a massive inflammation (non-specific foreign body reaction) 3-12 weeks after implantation, which gradually subsided 24 weeks aften operation. Chitosan pin was slowly degradated in bone and was not replaced by normal tissue 48 weeks after operation. The questions to be addressed in future include how to increase the mechanical strength of chitosan pin and how to improve the characteristics of its surface.
Zhang
J
J
Dept of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022.
Tang
J
J
Xu
B
B
Cai
K
K
Ma
W
W
Fang
Y
Y
Shi
T
T
Wei
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001858:Bone Nails; D002686:Chitin; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010027:Osteotomy; D011817:Rabbits; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002686:Chitin