Biological activity of tri-calciumphosphate/hydroxyl-apatite granules mixed with impacted morsellized bone graft : a study in rabbits

Reconstruction of bone defects with impacted morsellized cancellous bone grafts (MCB) is a popular method. Because of a shortage of human bone, mixing with biomaterials may be attractive. Ceramics may be used as bone graft extenders. In this study, various volume mixtures of biphasic tri-calciumphosphate/hydroxyl-apatite (TCP-HA) granules (1.5-2 mm) with MCB were examined in a non-loaded defect model in rabbits. Direct postoperatively, many 10-150 μm TCP-HA particles were present due to impaction. Irrespective to the group, after 8 weeks, virtually all MCB was resorbed and most TCP-HA granules were osseous-integrated with newly formed bone. The cross-sectional areas of TCP-HA after 8 weeks was generally smaller compared with direct post-operatively and the number of small 10-150 μm TCP-HA particles seemed reduced. Macrophages and giant cells were sparse after 8 weeks. In conclusion, the osteoconductivity of various mixtures of MCB and TCP-HA granules is not dependent on the ratio of TCP-HA over MCB. The reduced number of the 10-150 μm TCP-HA particles after 8 weeks, may suggest that a cellular mediated resorption process of TCP-HA granules took place. Based on these favorable biological findings subsequent in-vivo experiments are warranted in load-bearing conditions to investigate whether these findings hold for joint reconstruction purposes.