Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics versus injectable bone substitute:: a comparative study 3 and 8 weeks after implantation in rabbit bone

Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (MBCP) and a calcium phosphate injectable bone substitute (IBS), obtained by the association of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic granules and an aqueous solution of a cellulosic polymer, were compared in the same animal model. The two tested biomaterials were implanted in distal femoral osseous defects in rabbits. Qualitative and quantitative histological evaluation was performed three and eight weeks after implantation to investigate bone colonization and ceramic biodegradation associated with the two bone substitutes. Both biomaterials expressed osteoconduction properties and supported the apposition of a well-mineralized lamellar newly-formed bone. Bone colonization occurred much earlier and faster for IBS than for MBCP implants, although the respective rates of newly-formed bone after eight weeks of implantation did not differ significantly. For both biomaterials, ceramic resorption occurred regularly throughout the implantation period, though to a greater extent with IBS than with MBCP implants. The associated polymer in IBS produced intergranular spaces allowing body fluids to reach each BCP ceramic granule immediately after implantation, which may have favored osteoblastic activity, new bone formation and ceramic resorption. This completely interconnected open macroporosity could account for the earlier and more satisfactory bone substitution achieved with IBS. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.