Summary
Tibia segmental defect healing in sheep were clinically, radiographically and histologically
evaluated. Twelve young sheep aged four to five months were divided into two groups,
G1 and G2. A 3.5 cm long segmental defect was created in the right tibial diaphysis
with maintenance of the periosteum. The bone defects in both groups were stabilized
with a bone plate combined with a titanium cage. In G1 the cage was filled with pieces
of autologous cortical bone graft. In G2 it was filled with a composite biomaterial
which consisted of inorganic bovine bone, demineralized bovine bone, a pool of bovine
bone morphogenetic proteins bound to absorbable ultra-thin powdered hydroxyapatiteand
bonederived denaturized collagen. Except for one G1 animal, all of them showed normal
limb function 60 days after surgery. Radiographic examination showed initial formation
of periosteal callus in both groups at osteotomy sites, over the plate or cage 15
days postoperatively. At 60 and 90 days callus remodeling occurred. Histological and
morphometric analysis at 90 days after surgery showed that the quantity of implanted
materials in G1 and G2 were similar, and the quantity of new bone formation was less
(p=0.0048) and more immature in G1 than G2, occupying 51 ± 3.46% and 62 ± 6.26% of
the cage space, respectively. These results suggest that the composite biomaterial
tested was a good alternative to autologous cortical bone graft in this experimental
ovine tibial defect. However, additional evaluation is warranted prior to its clinical
usage.
Keywords
Bone defect - treatment - biomaterials - bone graft - sheep