Segmental bone defect repair using sintered, porous ceramics

The use of sintered, porous ceramics as alternatives to autograft was studied in a rabbit segmental defect model. One hundred and eight rabbits were entered into the study. A one centimeter mid-diaphyseal segmental defect was created and stabilized with an external fixator. The defect was filled with a porous sintered ceramic, autograft or left open. Animals were radiographed weekly and sacrificed at 6 or 8 weeks post-operatively. Torsional strengths of hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, and autograft groups were as strong as or stronger than there internal control limbs at 6 weeks post surgery, where as the open control group was 50% of its internal control limb. The alumina group at 6 weeks was 84% of normal. At 8 weeks, all ceramic groups had significantly higher torsional strengths than internal controls. The sintered, porous ceramics used in this study are good alternatives to autograft in repair of diaphyseal segmental defects.