Investigation of Biocompatibility, Osteoinductive and Osteiconductive Properties of Clay Cement for Bone Defect Substitution

In the last years, several methods have been used to enhance bone repair and new bone formation. Numerous researches have been focused on possibilities of healing bone defect by using biomaterial implants. Clay cement may represent an important bone substitute and could be used for the treatment of multiple fractures and after bone tumor resection. The aim of this study is to investigate biocompatibility, osteoinductive and osteiconductive properties of clay cement in a rabbit model. Two holes have been drilled in the mid-diaphysis of the femur bone of two animal groups. In the group 1 the defect was left untreated. In the group 2, the defect was filled by clay cement. Radiographs of the defect sites were made immediately after surgery and subsequently on 7, 15 and 21 postoperative days and compared to assess clay cement efficiency. It was concluded that clay cement has osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties and could be used for the treatment of bone defects.