Modulation of tissue ingrowth into porous high-density polyethylene implants with basic fibroblast growth factor and autologous blood clot.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of direct application of biologic materials normally present in wounds (basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] and autologous blood clot [ABC]) to accelerate the bony and soft tissue ingrowth into porous high-density polyethylene implants. We conducted a prospective, blinded animal histological study. Disks made of porous high-density polyethylene impregnated with bFGF or ABC were implanted into adult Sprague-Dawley rats in both subcutaneous and subperiosteal locations. Animals were killed and implants were harvested at 2, 4, and 10 weeks postimplantation and examined histologically for fibroblast invasion, collagen deposition, and inflammatory reaction.The results were compared with control (untreated) implants. As a group, the histological results showed significantly more fibroblasts within the ABC-treated implants than control implants or bFGF-treated implants. This difference in the number of fibroblasts between ABC-treated implants and bFGF-treated and control implants was also statistically significant 2 weeks after implantation. At the concentration of bFGF of 1 microg/10 microL, no acceleration of tissue ingrowth into porous high-density polyethylene implants was noted. However, when porous high-density polyethylene implants were treated with ABC, the implants were invaded to a greater degree by soft tissue, particularly in the early postoperative period (first 2 weeks). Bioactive substances associated with the coagulation and platelet cascades present in the ABC may be responsible for this accelerated incorporation of the porous implant and may have clinical implications. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2000;2:27-33