Histological evidence concerning the osseointegration of titanium implants in the fractured rabbit femur. (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bumbu, Bogdan Andrei; Bumbu, Adrian; Rus, Vasile; Gal, Adrian Florin; Miclăuş, Viorel
• Is Part Of: Journal of histotechnology. Volume 39:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Accidental fracture -- Femur -- Osseointegration -- Rabbit -- Titanium implant; Histology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; 611.018
• DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2016.1144842
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-8885

Abstract

Abstract : Stabilization of the broken bone is achieved using biocompatible materials. Since histology is still considered the gold standard technique for the assessment of bone formation around metallic implants, this report investigated the titanium implant integration in the accidentally broken bone in rabbits. The experimental protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Oradea, Romania. Holes were drilled in the diaphysis of the femur, and titanium implants were inserted in the created bone defect. In two subjects, fractures occurred on days two and three after the metallic alloy implantation. The other two rabbits presented no fractures following the surgical procedure. The rabbits were euthanized and the bones (with metallic implants) were harvested for histopathological investigation. Following decalcification, the bone samples were processed using the standard paraffin technique and stained by Goldner's trichrome procedure. In subjects with a perfect immobilization of the titanium implants, the osseointegration occurred with minimal callus formation (i.e. primary cortical healing). In rabbits with bone fractures, the callus was more exuberant. A progressive replacement of the granulation tissue with hyaline cartilage and woven bone occurred soon after. The former aspects suggested an indirect metaplasia in the created callus. In all subjects, no inflammatory cells were identified in the created callus. The bone regeneration occurred either by primary cortical healing (in perfectly immobilized titanium implants) or by a process similar to the endochondral ossification (in poorly immobilized titanium implants following accidental post-implantation bones fracture).