An experimental comparison of the effects of calcium sulfate particles and β-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite granules on osteogenesis in internal bone cavities

This experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of medical grade calcium sulphate and beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite on new bone formation. Additionally, the study compared these materials for infection, resorption, biocompatibility, immune reaction, fibrotic encapsulation, foreign body reaction and physical attachment. Forty, five-month-old female Wistar Albino rats were used. The 40 rats in the study were divided into 2 groups. Medical grade calcium sulphate particles (SurgiPlaster(R), Bio-Lok International Company) were applied to the rats in group 1 and beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite granules (Camceram(R) Cam Implants by an osteotech, Inc. Company) to those in group 2. On days 10, 21, 30 and 60 postoperatively the femurs were sacrificed and investigated histopathologically. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to the data obtained as a result of the histopathological analysis of the specimens. No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. In conclusion, it was determined that both materials resulted in similar fibrous tissue and inflammation responses, that their biocompatibilities were very good and that they did not cause foreign body reaction. Osteogenesis also was observed in the 2 groups after day 21. The effects of calcium sulphate on bone formation were faster than those of beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite. Osteogenesis was not completed to the same extent in the calcium sulphate group as in the beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite group.