Objective To find out an effective technique torepair large segmental infected bony defect.Methods Calcium phosphate cement(CPC) incorporated with bone morphogenetic protein and gentamycin was embedded in the massive reconstituted bovine xenograft(MRBX), then CPC-MRBX was obtained after CPC’s solidification. In vivo test was applied to test the drug delivery capability of CPC-MRBX, in which it was implanted in the dorsal muscle pouch of 18 rabbits. The drug concentration of animal blood and surrounding soft tissue of the CPC-MRBX in the muscle pouch was measured 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 d after operation, 2 rabbits each time. Large segmental infected femur defect in the rabbit model was created to test the repairing capability of CPC-MRBX. External fixation was done 1.5~2.0 cm above the knee, the most adjacent nail to fracture site was 0.5～0.8 cm away, and proper pressure was applied to the graft. In experimental group(n=25), the bony defect was replaced by CPC-MRBX, while in the control group(n=15) dissected bone block was re-implanted in original position. The animal was subjected to radiographic, histological examination at 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks. The general condition was observed after the operation.Results CPC-MRBX was easily made under normal temperature and pressure. In viro drug delivery test showed that the drug concentration of the tissue remainedabove the minimal inhibitory concentration of staphylococcus 30 d after operation and no significant increase of blood drug concentration was observed. In experimental group, no adverse influence was observed. Four weeks after operation, the animal could bear load, bony callus around the graft was observed by X-ray, and abundant chondral tissues that grew into CPC-MRBX were observed by histological method. Eight weeks after operation, progressively increasing bony callus around the graft was observed, external fixation could be removed, normal function was restored, and CPC was degenerated dramatically while new bone tissues were growing. Sixteen weeks after the operation, more new bone tissues grew and CPC was degenerated furtherly while marrow tissues were taking shape. Twenty-four weeks after the operation, femur healed completely and CPC was degenerated completely. In the control group, the autograft remained unhealedon X-ray at 4 weeks, and osteomyelitis manifestation such as inflammatory cells infiltration and osteolysis was detected at 4 weeks. All the animals in the control group died before the 8th week, 4 of which showed positive hemoculture. Conclusion CPC-MRBX is readily available and can be applied to repairing large segmental infected bony defect.30 d after operation and no significant increase of blood drug concentration was observed. In experimental group, no adverse influence was observed. Four weeks after operation, the animal could bear load, bony callus around the graft was observed by X-ray, and abundant chondral tissues that grew into CPCMRBX were observed by histological method. Eight weeks after operation, progressively increasing bony callus around the graft was observed, external fixation could be removed, normal function was restored, and CPC was degenerated dramatically while new bone tissues were growing. Sixteen weeks after the operation, more new bone tissues grew and CPC was degenerated furtherly while marrow tissues were taking shape. Twenty-four weeks after the operation, femur healed completely and CPC was degenerated completely. In the control group, the autograft remained unhealedon X-ray at 4 weeks, and osteomyelitis manifestation such as inflammatory cells infiltration and osteolysis was detected at 4 weeks. All the animals in the control group died before the 8th week, 4 of which showed positive hemoculture.Conclusion CPC-MRBX is readily available and can be applied to repairing large segmental infected bony defect.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of several three-dimensional (3-D) printing scaffold materials in bone tissue engineering. MethodThe recent domestic and international articles about 3-D printing scaffold materials were reviewed and summarized. ResultsCompared with conventional manufacturing methods, 3-D printing has distinctive advantages, such as enhancing the controllability of the structure and increasing the productivity. In addition to the traditional metal and ceramic scaffolds, 3-D printing scaffolds carrying seeding cells and tissue factors as well as scaffolds filling particular drugs for special need have been paid more and more attention. ConclusionsThe development of 3-D printing porous scaffolds have revealed new perspectives in bone repairing. But it is still at the initial stage, more basic and clinical researches are still needed.