Host protection against deliberate bacterial contamination of an extracellular matrix bioscaffold versus Dacron mesh in a dog model of orthopedic soft tissue repair.

The resistance of two biomaterials, one synthetic and one biologic in origin, to deliberate bacterial infection was compared in a dog model of orthopedic soft tissue reconstruction. Twenty-four adult female dogs were randomly divided into two equal groups and a 2.0-cm-round full-thickness defect was created on the lateral surface of the stifle joint, leaving only the synovium and skin intact. The defect was surgically repaired with either Dacron trade mark mesh or a porcine derived extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold material. The repair site was inoculated with 1 x 10(8) Staphylococcus aureus at the time of surgery and the dogs were survived for 28 days. Results showed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammatory response at the Dacron trade mark implant sites versus a constructive tissue-remodeling response without residual inflammation at the ECM implant site. Three dogs in the group receiving the Dacron trade mark mesh were treated with Keflex trade mark (500 mg bid x 7 days) for signs of septicemia. A quantitative bacterial count of the implant sites at the time of sacrifice showed 6.52 x 10(5) +/- 1.2 x 10(6) and 6.5 x 10(2) +/- 1.8 x 10(3) bacteria per gram of tissue for the Dacron trade mark and ECM scaffold sites, respectively (P <.03). The ECM implant material was more resistant than the synthetic implant material to persistent infection following deliberate bacterial contamination and the ECM scaffold supported constructive tissue remodeling.