Tomographic imaging of fragmented cortical bone heteroimplant and methylmethacrylate in segmental bone defect of rabbit tibia.

PURPOSE To evaluate the performance of composites consisting of fragmented cortical bone heteroimplant in association with methylmethacrylate preserved in 98% glycerin, in segmental bone defect of rabbit tibia medial metaphysis. METHODS In this study were used twelve adult New Zealand rabbits, divided into three groups of four animals each: G30 (30 days), G60 (60 days) and G90 (90 days). The bone defects previously created in the tibia were filled with composites and both were evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography, immediately after surgery and after 30, 60, and 90 days. RESULTS The composites fulfilled and remained in the sites of bone defects in all cases and were not registered signals of infection, migration or rejection. CONCLUSIONS The implanted composites promoted the bone defects repair without signals of infection and/or rejection. The composites are one more option for bone defects repair.