Compartmentalized bone regeneration of cranial defects with biodegradable barriers: an animal model.

In bony defects of the cranium, bone healing may be complicated by prolapse of surrounding tissue into the defect. This tissue acts as an impediment to prevent the migration of osteogenic cells, leading to impaired bone formation. It has been previously shown that a membrane placed over the bony defect inhibits the connective tissue cells from entering the wound and theoretically improves bone formation. The use of a proven resorbable material, Lactosorb, is used in this animal model and has shown a significant increase in autogenous bony formation. The majority of previous work was accomplished with nonresorbable material that resulted in foreign body formation. This paper is unique because resorbable material in the animal model is relatively inexpensive and easy to use and has allowed successful autogenous bony regeneration.