Qualitative histologic evaluation of the tissue reaction to the polyurethane resin (ricinus communis - based biopolymer) implantation assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The tissue reaction of bone tissue accessed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images after polyurethane resin implantation is presented in this study. Twenty four male rabbits were used, divided into two groups of 12 animals each (experimental group and control group) in which full-thickness cranial defect was surgically created. At 30 and 90 days post operation 6 animals of each group were euthanized and bone samples were removed for analysis. The microscopic results indicated no inflammatory foreign body reaction, a perfect union between the polymer and surgical bone bed surface, lack of bone resorption and presence of a thin layer of osteogenic material covering the polymer surface in contact with the surgical bone bed. The SEM images demonstrate the porosity of the resin, with diameters from 120 to 500 µm. This important feature of this polymer is associated with its osteoconductivity, allowing the bone growth inside it, improving the integration between the material and bone tissue. These results confirm that polyurethane resin derived from Ricinuscommunis is an excellent bone substitute for use in repair surgery for great bone losses.

Keywords

• Bone repair
• polyurethane resin
• osteoconduction
• biocompatibility