Primary cancellous bone formation with BMP and micro-chambered beads Experimental study on sheep

Problem: The physiological reconstruction of cancellous bone defects in surgery of the locomotor system is an unsatisfactorily solved problem. Aims: The aims of this study are to examine whether micro-chambered beta-tricalcium-phosphate (beta-TCP) beads provide a certain capillary force suctioning in blood and bone marrow thus forming a stable "negative-replica of the bone marrow spaces. If so, a new approach for osteoconduction would yield primarily a scaffold of lamellar cancellous bone under load without a long-lasting remodeling process. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) might even enhance all processes of defect healing, remodeling and beta-TCP resorption; gentamicin-loaded epsilon-caprolactone might protect the implant. Material and methods: Ten sheep were operated on; the patella-groove model and the tibial head were used. A defect of 9.4 x 20 mm was created using wet-grinding-diamond instruments. Micro-chambered beta-TCP-beads of 4-6 mm with 0.35 mg rhBMP-7 + 0.1 g collagen per animal, or 1.5 g demineralized bone matrix (DBM) paste on the contra-lateral side were implanted. Both osteoinduction groups were compared with the defect in the tibial heads where plain micro-chambered ceramic beads were inserted. Added to the beads was 12.5 mg gentamicinsulphate in 12.5 mg epsilon-caprolactone-carrier. Outward diffusion was prevented using a 1-mm-thick press-fit inserted ceramic lid. The bone healing, remodeling and resorption of the ceramic in a right-left comparison of the patella groove and the tibial head was examined at 6 weeks, 2 and 3 months; one animal in reserve was followed for 14 months. The animals were perfusion-fixed, the vasculature micro-casted with an acrylate and nondemineralized processed, and with mu-CT and microscopically documented. Results: A primary load-bearing spongiosa had developed around the beads, which shortened the remodeling process. The strong micro-chambered, resorbable beta-TCP-beads demonstrate high capillary strength, resorb blood and bone marrow, and represent a stable formative material which, as a carrier for the controlled local release of BMP, that accelerates bone healing, shortens resorption and remodeling compared with plain and DBM loaded implants. Conclusion: Micro-chambered beads represent the bone-forming element, BMP yields a fast defect healing and enhanced remodeling of bone and resorption of beta-TCP compared to delayed and incomplete reconstruction and resorption of beta-TCP on the DBM-side, the plain implants reached nearly the same reconstruction, but far later compared with the BMP loaded implants. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.