Biocompatibility of polylactides in the middle ear: an experimental animal study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the suitability of resorbable polylactides for reconstruction in middle ear surgery.


METHODS
Twenty-four chinchillas.


METHODS
Twenty chinchillas were operated on using 2 types of polylactides inserted into the middle ear and outer ear canal, 10 animals in each group. At 6 months, the animals were killed, and their temporal bones were removed for sectioning. Degree of inflammation, fibrosis, degradation of polylactide material, and new bone formation were assessed histologically.


METHODS
Polylactide implants caused only a mild local inflammation, with no difference between the 2 materials tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Polylactide acid-based middle ear implants were successfully used in the reconstructive middle ear surgery. Resorption occurred without complications.
Peltonen
Lauri I
LI
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Jero
Jussi
J
Sukura
Antti
A
Pietola
Laura
L
Konttinen
Yrjö T
YT
Aarnisalo
Antti A
AA
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002682:Chinchilla; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)