A preliminary preclinical test with a porous fibre-reinforced composite implant including S53P4 bioactive glass granule coating intended to use as a bone reconstruction material was performed in rabbit frontal bones. A defect with a diameter of 5 mm was created. The implant was placed over the defect and fixed with titanium pins. Empty defects served as a control group. The follow-up times were 3, 6 and 8 weeks. Moderate foreign body reactions were observed, particularly on areas where bioactive glass granules cover polymer matrix unevenly.
At 3 weeks, both groups were healed by connective fibrous tissue. At 6 and 8 weeks, lamellar bone was detected in both groups. Distinct positive effects on bone healing were observed in some animals with the implant but no statistical difference was found between the implant group and the empty control group.
J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2007 Jul;82(1):149-155.