A tricalcium phosphate/polyether ether ketone anchor bionic fixation device for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Safety and efficacy in a beagle model. Issue 3 (2nd May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mao, Genwen; Qin, Zili; Li, Zheng; Li, Xiang; Qiu, Yusheng; Bian, Weiguo
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomedical materials research. Volume 107:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 554
• Page End: 563
• Publication Date: 2018-05-02
• Subjects: ACL reconstruction -- fixation method -- PEEK -- TCP -- bionic; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-4973

Abstract

Abstract: The goal of this study was to develop a bionic fixation device based on the use of a tricalcium phosphate/polyether ether ketone anchor and harvesting of the ulnar carpal flexor muscle tendon for application as a ligament graft in a beagle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model, with the goal of accelerating the ligament graft‐to‐bone tunnel healing and providing a robust stability through exploration of this new kind of autologous ligament graft. The safety and efficacy of this fixation device were explored 3 and 6 months after surgery in a beagle ACL reconstruction model using biomechanical tests and comprehensive histological observation. The data were compared using a two‐tailed Student's t test and a paired t test. A p value <0.05 was defined as statistically significant. All the models were successfully established. This fixation device possessed the excellent mechanical properties for ACL reconstruction. A comprehensive histological observation revealed that a cartilage layer was visible in the transition zone between the tendon and bone interface at both 3 and 6 months postoperation. The trabecular of the new bone was observed six months after surgery and was found to be similar to a direct connection. This fixation technique provided not only a robust primary mechanical fixation but also a bionic fixation for long‐term knee joint stability by accelerating the healing of the tendon to the bone tunnel, showing a high potential for use in clinical practice. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 554–563, 2019.