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An Anesthesia, Surgery, and Harvest Method for the Evaluation of Transpedicular Screws Using an In Vivo Porcine Lumbar Spine Model
Published on: May 31, 2017
Comparison of an experimental bone cement with surgical Simplex P, Spineplex and Cortoss
1Materials & Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick, National Technological Park, Limerick, Ireland. Daniel.Boyd@ul.ie
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|January 17, 2008
Summary
Zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (Zn-GPC) show promise as bone cement alternatives, offering a modulus similar to bone and excellent biocompatibility. Further development is needed to optimize setting times for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Materials Engineering
Background:
- Conventional bone cements like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and Bisphenol-A-glycidyl dimethacrylate (BIS-GMA) composites have drawbacks including high curing exotherm, toxic components, and modulus mismatch with bone.
- These limitations can lead to complications such as thermal necrosis and stress shielding, impacting long-term implant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (Zn-GPC) as a potential alternative to conventional bone cements for applications like vertebroplasty.
- To compare the mechanical properties (strength, modulus) and biocompatibility of a Zn-GPC formulation against three commercial bone cements: Spineplex, Simplex P, and Cortoss.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical testing (compressive and biaxial flexural strength, modulus) of Zn-GPC and commercial cements.
- Assessment of thermal properties, specifically peak curing exotherm during setting.
- Biocompatibility evaluation using the simulated body fluid (SBF) method to assess apatite layer formation and bone bonding capability.
Main Results:
- The Zn-GPC formulation exhibited a low peak exotherm (33°C), well below tissue necrosis thresholds.
- Zn-GPC demonstrated stable compressive (63 MPa) and biaxial flexural (30 MPa) strengths, with a modulus similar to vertebral trabecular bone.
- Zn-GPC showed significant bone-like apatite layer formation in SBF within 24 hours, indicating good osseointegration potential, unlike commercial cements.
Conclusions:
- While the current Zn-GPC formulation has unsuitable setting times for clinical use, its mechanical properties, low exotherm, and excellent biocompatibility make it a strong candidate for bone cement development.
- Optimized Zn-GPC formulations could offer a superior alternative to current bone cements, potentially reducing complications associated with modulus mismatch and improving patient outcomes.