title: Polylactide/polyglycolide copolymer in bone defect healing in humans.
abstract: This pilot study aims to evaluate the healing of a large defects in the human jawbone filled with a Poly-Lactide-co-Glycolide (PLG) polymer (Fisiograft) by means of clinical, radiological and histological methods and to compare the results with those of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) clot or autologous bone (AB) fillings. Bone cysts, where previous non-surgical treatments failed to promote healing, underwent surgery. Nineteen consenting male patients were randomly split into three groups, packed with PRP, AB or PLG. A core biopsy was performed 4 and 6 months after surgery. All treated defects showed clinical, radiological and histological progresses over time. AB provided the best clinical and histological performance and PLG had overlapping outcomes; PRP filling was statistically different. Six months after surgery, bone activities were enhanced in sites treated with PLG and fairly good with PRP. Additionally, PLG showed some new lamellar formations. In conclusion, outcomes were best with AB graft, but suitable results were achieved using PLG to promote healing of severe bone defects. PLG shows only a delayed regenerative capability but does not require a secondary donor site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Rehabilitation, Section of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertoldi
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zaffe
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Consolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid