Experimental Bone Defect Healing with an Absorbable Membrane in Rabbits

Muscle/periosteal flaps were raised and 4.5-mm defects were created bilaterally in the tibiae of 12 rabbits. On the test side, Polyglactin 910 woven mesh was placed over the defect and the flaps were sutured. The defect on the contralateral side served as a control. After healing periods of 4 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 13 weeks the animals were killed, and 15-,am, hematoxylin and eosin-stained, undecalcified sections were prepared and examined. By 8 weeks postoperatively the mesh-covered defect had thoroughly healed with new bone, whereas the control showed discontinuous new bone in the defect. The mesh had been completely absorbed. The results indicate that the mesh guides bone regeneration during the early stages of healing and is eventualy absorbed.