title: Nonsurgical closure of oroantral communications with a biodegradable polyurethane foam: A pilot study in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgical closure of oroantral communications (OACs) has several disadvantages. An animal study was performed to test whether OACs can be closed nonsurgically with a biodegradable polyurethane (PU) foam.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 6 rabbits, an OAC was created on both sides of the maxilla. Three rabbits were used to evaluate the animal model by applying a surgical treatment on 1 side and by leaving the other defects untreated. In the 3 other rabbits, OACs were closed with PU foam. Wound healing was evaluated clinically and histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgically treated defects healed without complications. The untreated defects showed complicated and delayed healing. Healing of the foam-treated OACs was dependent on the type of foam that was used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rabbit is a suitable animal model for OAC investigations. It is possible to close an OAC with a biodegradable PU foam. Further research is needed to show the most suitable composition of the PU for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. b.van.minnen@kchir.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Baucke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Minnen
authors.forename: Boudewijn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stegenga
authors.forename: M Barbara M
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Theo G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: van Kooten
authors.forename: Rudolf R M
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bos
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009957:Oroantral Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; C028279:polyurethane foam