Biologic Changes of Xenograft ( LUBBOC ) in the Surgical Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biologic changes of xenograft (Lubboc, Transphyto S. A., Clermont-Ferrand, France) applied in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xenograft were used in twenty-five calcaneal fractures, as bone substitutes for mechanical support of the articular surface from March 1994 to December 1996. Twenty-four cases had obtained clinical and radiological bony union without complications. We performed biopsy at the xenograft area in eight cases when the hardware was removed. And then we took a magnetic resonance imaging of the calcaneus after the biopsy in three cases. RESULTS: The pathologic findings of the xenografts showed dead bony trabeculae with inflammed fibrous tissue. There was no osteoblastic activity but some osteoclastic activity was seen in the graft-host junctional area. MRI findings showed that there was well-circumscribed, low-signal intensity in the xenograft area contrast to the normal bony signal intensity. Its lesion was equal to the sclerotic finding in the calcaneal radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: Xenograft (LUBBOC'), which is used in the mechanical support of the articular surface, apparently lacks osteogenic capacity.