Fixation of rabbit osteotomies with biodegradable polyglycolic acid thread.

In 68 rabbits, osteotomies of the femoral medial condyle were fixed with either liquid n-buty-2-cyanoacrylate, bone cement and biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) thread, or PGA thread only. Follow-up times were 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. Macroscopic, radiographic, histologic, microradiographic, and oxytetracycline labeling studies were performed. Microscopically, the medial condyles fixed with the combined materials healed in 8 of 34 rabbits and with PGA threads in 22 of 34.