GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION USING DEGRADABLE AND NONDEGRADABLE MEMBRANES IN RABBIT TIBIA

Three different membranes were tested for guided bone regeneration in 8-mm unicortical trephine defects in rabbit tibia. All experimental and control defects healed with bone. The critical size defect in rabbit tibia is larger than 8 mm, because control defects, 8 mm in diameter, healed spontaneously. Around remnants of the biodegradable Polyglactin 910 mesh (Vicryl(R)), a diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells with multinuclear giant cells developed. However, the bone healing was not impaired by the infiltrate. Around the Gore-Tex(R) membrane and around remnants of the Alzamer(R) a few lymphocytes were observed, but no multinuclear giant cells were noted.