Tissue response to percutaneous implants in rabbits.

This study reports on certain aspects of wound-healing around percutaneous implants. Plasma-sprayed and dense hydroxylapatite, titanium, and carbon test implants were inserted into the tibia and the cranium of 12 rabbits. Four and 8 months after insertion, the animals were sacrificed and the implants with their surrounding tissues were processed histologically. Light- and transmission electron microscopic investigations were performed. It is found that direct and indirect bone-anchoring favors the longevity of percutaneous implants. No differences in tissue reaction between the various implant materials were observed.