Osseous healing using injectable calcium sulfate-based putty for the delivery of demineralized bone matrix and cancellous bone chips.

Three formulations of injectable calcium sulfate-based putties containing demineralized bone matrix (DBM), 50% DBM/50% cancellous bone (CB) chips, and 30% DBM/70% CB were studied in canines. Four humeral defects per dog were implanted with one of each of the putty formulations while the fourth defect was left untreated. After 6 weeks, the dogs were euthanized. Radiographs and histology showed that the area fraction of new bone in the defects was greater for the three putty formulations than the untreated defects. The area of residual cancellous bone graft remaining in the defects was <10% in both CB putties. Residual calcium sulfate was not apparent in any of the histological sections. We conclude that fast-resorbing calcium sulfate-based putties are effective delivery means of bone graft materials for the successful restoration of bony defects.