Connective tissue formation in subcutaneous cellulose sponge implants in the rat. The effect of the size and cellulose content of the implant.

Granulation tissue formation was studied in viscose cellulose sponges with different cellulose contents and sizes after subcutaneous implantation in rats. Samples were removed and studied histologically and histomorphometrically 1-16 weeks after implantation. The implants with lower cellulose content and smaller size were invaded by more cells and filled with connective tissue more rapidly than those with the higher content and larger size. In larger sponge implants the beneficial effect of the lower cellulose content was more conspicuous.