[Experimental investigation on non-specific foreign body sarcoma induction of Al2O3-ceramic implants (author's...

This investigation presents experimental results on possible non-specific foreign body sarcoma induction by Al2O3-ceramic implants. Solid and porous discs, subcutaneously implanted in rats produce a sarcoma rate of 17.4 resp. 17.8 p.c. while roughly perforated discs initiate sarcomas at a rate of 25.4 p.c. These values were found to be lower than comparative values in the literature produced with different metals and medical grade plastics. Powdered alumina implants did not produce any sarcomas. Only this latter result can mainly be transferred into prognostic assumptions concerning the clinical application of Al2O3-ceramic. The results are discussed extensively in the lights of the existing literature, this indicating that the tested ceramic itself may not possess a significant sarcogenetic potency in humans.