Bioactive glass in cavitary bone defects: a comparative experimental study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To compare bioactive glass and autograft regarding their histomorphometric characteristics.


METHODS
The authors conducted a prospective case-control experimental study on animals in order to compare the histomorphometric characteristics of bioactive glass versus autograft. Eight rabbits underwent surgery in which a cavitary defect was created in both proximal femurs. One side was filled with bioactive glass granules and the other, with autograft grafted from the contralateral side. The sides were randomized. Fourteen days after surgery, the animals were euthanized.


RESULTS
Histologic analysis revealed that bone neoformation was equivalent among the two groups and the osteoblasts cell-count was higher in the femurs treated with bioactive glass. The osteocytes cell-count, however, was lower. The similarity in bone formation between both groups was consistent to literature findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Bioactive glass is similar to autograft regarding bone neoformation in this animal model of cavitary bone defects. Level of Evidence III, Case-Control Study.
Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
André Ferrari de França
AF
Camargo
Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
André Mathias
AM
Baptista
Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Renato
R
Natalino
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Olavo Pires
OP
de Camargo
Bone transplantation; Osteogenesis; Rabbits