USE OF POROUS BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER IMPLANTS IN MENISCUS RECONSTRUCTION .2. BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF POROUS BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER IMPLANTS IN MENISCI

Several series of porous, biodegradable PU/PLLA foams were used for meniscus reconstruction in dogs. PLLA-fiber reinforced PU/PLLA composites, PU/PLLA, and PU foams were implanted in severe meniscus lesions. The healing process was initiated as a result of blood vessels' and other cells' ingrowth into these porous materials. To accomplish good ingrowth of fibrocartilaginous tissue, the materials should have interconnected macropores of 200-300-mu-m with a high total pore volume. PLLA fibers were used to reinforce the materials, but seem to retard the degradation process and the ingrowth of fibrocartilaginous tissue.