Porous hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute in diaphyseal defects: a histometric study

Porous hydroxyapatite (IP200), formed by conversion of the Poritidae porites exoskeleton, has pores averaging 230 microns and pore interconnections averaging 190 microns in diameter. In the distal radial diaphyses of 14 dogs, bilateral 7.5 X 20 mm cortical windows were created and fitted with 5 X 7.5 X 20 mm blocks of IP200 implants and iliac autografts. Both implanted and contralateral grafted radius specimens were retrieved at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Unstained undecalcified sections were examined by microradiography and UV epi-illumination. Stained undecalcified sections were examined by light microscopy and quantitated by histometric methods. Implant specimens demonstrated good union and bone ingrowth at all time intervals. The implant specimens were composed of (mean +/- SE) 10.6% +/- 1.0% soft tissue, 51.2% +/- 1.3% bone, and 38.2% +/- 1.0% IP200. The graft specimens showed good union with little apparent ingrowth at 3 months, followed by progressive appositional closure of cancellous spaces. The graft specimens contained 21.9% +/- 0.9% bone at 3 months with increases at each time interval to 73.1% +/- 8.7% at 48 months. The volume fraction and mean width of IP200 did not change with time, confirming the absence of implant biodegradation. The volume fraction and mean width of bone remained stable in the implant but increased in the graft specimens, corresponding to graft neocortex formation. It is concluded that implants initially filled in with bone while grafts initially replaced much of their spongiosa and subsequently filled in with bone. Histometry of untreated defects and measurement of mechanical properties are suggested for further study.