The influence of radiation therapy on subperiosteal hydroxyapatite implants in rabbits

Granular hydroxyapatite (HA) was implanted into subperiosteal pockets along both the right and left proximal tibias of 12 adult New Zealand white rabbits. The left extremities of 10 rabbits served as controls, whereas the right sides were irradiated with 2,250 rad in three doses over 5 days. The animals were killed at 1-week intervals starting at 2 weeks postirradiation. One half of each site was evaluated using standard histologic techniques while the other half was examined as a nondecalcified section. The quantity and the quality of new bone formation was determined using a rating scale and histomorphometric digitization. The results of this 4-month study showed that the amount of new bone formation around the HA granules was significantly greater in the irradiated sites. The irradiation produced no deleterious effects on the implant or the surrounding tissue areas.