Biological behavior of cellulosic materials after bone implantation: preliminary results

The biological behaviour of cellulosic material was examined after intermedullary implantation in femoral shafts of rabbits. The examination of rabbits' femurs occurred at 3, 9, 12 and 34 weeks by X-ray, microscopic and macroscopic examinations. They showed a perfect bone-implant adaptation without macroscopic or X-ray modification of the bone and without any cortical secondary weakness. In spite of the difficulties arising from the retraction of dehydrated cellulose before methylmethacrylate embedding, microscopic aspects show, at the end of the implantation, a very low inflammatory reaction with bone intra-spongious regeneration of cells and the integration of the cellulosic implants. These results are encouraging for success in new applications of cellulose in orthopaedic surgery.