Bone growth into porous carbon, polyethylene, and polypropylene prostheses.

Using rats as a model, porous discs of RPG carbon and polypropylene and polyethylene were localized subperiosteally and supraperiosteally in the skull. Bone and blood vessels grew into the discs, which had adequate pore size, when placed in direct contact with bone. No bone was generated from the periosteum. Both plastic materials were estimated to be better than carbon for use in osseous reconstructive work. More long term material-tissue stability and reaction studies should be performed.