A method for evaluation of initial tissue response to biomaterials

In the present paper an implantation technique is described whereby the effect of the surgical operation is eliminated and initial tissue reactions to materials may be studied. A teflon body was implanted intramuscularly in rabbits. After six weeks the overlaying tissue was excised and the implant removed. An intact, nonepithelialized tissue surface was exposed, which due to the shape of the implant showed three indentations. Materials were placed in the indentations for 15 minutes and the tissue reaction was registered by enzyme histochemical methods. Silicate cement, zinc phosphate cement and a 4% phenol solution caused an inhibition in the dehydrogenase enzyme activity in the tissue subjacent to the indentations. The severity of the tissue reaction, indicated by the width of the inhibition zone, varied among the test materials. Silicate cement caused the widest inhibition zone and the phenol solution the narrowest one. These results correlate well with previous tissue compatibility studies and indicate that the method is applicable for in vivo screening of initial tissue response to biomaterials.