The healing of biologic and synthetic bone implants. An experimental study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the osteogenic properties of different types of cancellous bone grafts inserted in large osseous defects in dogs and to compare these with those of sintered hydroxyapatite implants. Fresh cancellous autografts were rapidly revascularized and invariably induced a complete healing of the defect. Frozen and fresh cancellous allografts were largely resorbed, the latter evoking a strong antigenic response in two of the five cases. Sintered hydroxyapatite granules were largely encapsulated in fibrous tissue, neither stimulating nor inhibiting osseous ingrowth. Degradation of the hydroxyapatite implant was not observed.