An experimental study of bioderived bone to repair bone defects as a scaffold of tissue engineering

Autograft and allograft bone is often used to elicit the healing of bone defects resulting from reconstructive procedures, but each has its limitations. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of implantation of tissue engineered bone on the healing of a critical-sized (1.5 cm) segmental defect in rabbit radius. Tissue engineered bone was produced by osteoblasts in combination with bioderived bone. Tissue-engineered bone, bioderived bone, and autograft bone were implanted in the segmental bone defects. The healing of the defects was assessed with radiographic, histological, and biomechanical studies. Tissue-engineered bone showed improved healing on radiographic, mechanical, and histological studies compared with that shown after use of bioderived bone and autograft bone. The highest radiographic and histological grades and the greatest mechanical strength were achieved with the use of tissue-engineered bone. At 16 weeks after surgery, the defects treated with tissue-engineered bone obtained similar mechanical strength as that obtained by normal bone. Major bone defects may be treated with tissue engineered bone instead of autograft to avoid complications associated with the use of autograft.