Effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of an ulna defect filled with a bone graft substitute.

A 1.5 cm unilateral rabbit ulna defect model was performed in 18 adult NZ white rabbits. The defects were filled with a beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute (JAX TCP). The surgical site in half the animals was treated daily with 20 min of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks (n = 3 per group) or 12 weeks (n = 6 per group) following surgery for radiographic and histologic endpoints. Radiography revealed some resorption of the JAX TCP by 12 weeks in the control and LIPUS treated groups. LIPUS treatment did not accelerate this resorption. Some new bone formation was noted in the control groups at the defect margins while little bone formed in the center of the defect at 4 and 12 weeks. In contrast, radiographs revealed more new bone at 4 and 12 weeks in the LIPUS treated animals throughout the section. Bone mineral density (DEXA) revealed a statistically significant difference at 4 weeks with LIPUS while no differences were found at 12 weeks. Histology of the LIPUS treated sections demonstrated new woven bone formation on and between the JAX TCP bone graft substitute particles across the defect. VEGF expression was increased with LIPUS treatment at 4 weeks and remained elevated at 12 weeks compared with controls. CBFA-1 expression levels were elevated with LIPUS treatment at both time points. LIPUS treatment increased bone formation in ulna defect healing with a beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute.

Beta-TCP bone graft substitutes in a bilateral rabbit tibial defect model.

The use of artificial bone graft substitutes has increased as the surgical applications widen and the availability of allograft bone decreases. The ideal graft substitute should reabsorb with time to allow and encourage new bone formation whilst maintaining its properties as an osteoconductive scaffold until it is no longer required. A potential disadvantage of some synthetic substitutes is their long dissolution time. Beta-tricalcium phosphates (beta-TCPs) have some advantages when compared to hydroxyapatite (HA), when used as a filler, in that it is more rapidly reabsorbed. Three commercially available and clinically used beta-TCP bone graft substitutes with the same chemistry (Vitoss, Osferion, Chronos) but with varying macro and microscopic characteristics were investigated using a bilateral tibial metaphyseal defect model in New Zealand white rabbits. When placed into tibial defects all three materials performed similarly in terms of mechanical properties of the healing defects. A decrease in properties was found at 12 weeks where implant resorption was nearly achieved while remodelling of the anteromedial cortex had yet to be completed. All materials were osteoconductive and supported new bone formation while implant resorption with time differed between materials. Vitoss resorbed faster than the other materials and is likely to differences in particle geometry, pore structure and interconnectivity.

Comparison of poly-L-lactide and polylactide carbonate interference screws in an ovine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare polylactide carbonate (PLC) interference screws with poly-L-lactide (PLLA) screws in an ovine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model. METHODS: A PLC screw or PLLA screw was placed in the center of a 4-strand soft-tissue autograft fixating the graft within the tibial tunnel. Assessments were made at 6 and 12 weeks for fixation strength and at time points of 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks via computed tomography and histology. RESULTS: No adverse or inflammatory reactions were noted for either material at any time point. Mechanical fixation strength increased from 6 to 12 weeks for both the PLC and PLLA screws, with no significant differences in fixation strength being found between the 2 groups. By 26 weeks, the PLC screw was partially replaced by new bone, a process that was completed by 52 weeks. The PLLA screws were intact and surrounded by a fibrous layer at 52 weeks with no obvious resorption. New bone formation within the tendon construct located in the bone tunnel proximal to the interference screw was also noted in the PLC screw group but was not observed in the PLLA group. CONCLUSIONS: This study has supported the hypothesis that this bioabsorbable composite has sufficient mechanical properties and strength retention to function successfully as an interference screw but also stimulates a biologic healing response, enabling replacement by bone and tunnel healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows both the satisfactory mechanical characteristics and osteoconductive nature of PLC used in an interference screw in an ovine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model.

The influence of ambient theater temperature on cement setting time.

We have prospectively recorded ambient operating theater temperature from 186 total knee arthroplasties and the time taken for the cement to set at implantation. The majority of cases used Antibiotic Simplex cement (n = 131), and the rest, Simplex with tobramycin (n = 55). Set time was defined as when a no. 15 scalpel could not indent the cement surface at either the femoral or tibial interface. There was a reasonable negative correlation between temperature and setting time (Antibiotic Simplex: Pearson correlation coefficient, R = -0.674; Simplex with tobramycin: R = -0.655). There was also a considerable variation of setting time at any given theater temperature. There is an inverse relationship between ambient theater temperature and the setting time for Simplex cement, and surgeons should be aware that the setting time can vary considerably. Their operative protocol should take this into account.