title: Bone-defects healing by high-molecular hyaluronic acid: preliminary results.
abstract: AIM.: The aim of this study is to evaluate the capability of Hyaloss™ matrix (Fab - Fidia Advanced Biopolymers - Pd - Italy), a biomaterial based on hyaluronic acid, used as organic scaffold in bone repair in post-extractive defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 post-extractive sockets were selected, with similar size defects in the same patient and in the same hemiarch. Hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight (Hyaloss™ matrix, Fab - Pd - Italy) was mixed with autologous bone obtained using Safescraper(®) curve (Meta - Re - Italy) to repair post-extractive sites. Safescraper(®) is a cutting edge system that allows to the collection of autologous bone without using traditional, incision-based collection techniques, which could cause discomfort to the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical and hystological evaluations were performed, four months after grafting, in the maxilla and in the mandible. From a clinical point of view Hyaloss™ matrix mixed with autologous bone and patient's blood becomes a substance similar to gel, which is easy to insert in to the defect. From a hystological point of view, in the treated site there is the presence of an erosive activity, with accelerated angiogenetic and bone remodelling activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preliminary results show an acceleration of the bone deposit process and of its remodelling due to the presence of Hyaloss™ matrix, which, from a clinical point of view, improves the handling and application of the bone matrix inside the defects and, from a hystologic point of view makes it possible to obtain bone regeneration in less time when it is used with autologous bone.
authors.affiliation: University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy Department of Neurosciences and Biomedical Technologies (M. Baldoni).
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zaffe
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolini