Glassy carbon implant as a bone graft substitute: an experimental study on rabbits

The purpose of this experimental investigation was to study the incorporation of porous glassy carbon in bone. Cylinders of porous glassy carbon were implanted in drill holes in diaphyses and metaphyses of rabbits tibia for 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Bone ingrowth into the glassy carbon implants was examined by radiographic, histologic, fluorocrome and microradiographic methods. The material caused no pathological reaction. Tissue ingrowth into pores was seen by all examination methods. The amount of bone in the pores increases with time. The ingrowth was most distinctive in those areas where the implant was in close contact with cortical bone or trabeculae of the cancellous bone. Porous glassy carbon can be used as bone substitute, although the small size of implant available is at the present a limitation for its clinical use.