Use of polyglycolic acid mesh to confine particulate hydroxylapatite for augmentation of bone in the rat.

A preliminary report of the use of polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh to contain particulate nonresorbable hydroxylapatite (HA) used for augmentation of bone in rats is presented. PGA mesh tubes, approximately 2 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length, were fabricated, filled with HA, and placed in surgically created subperiosteal pockets against the medial cortex of the tibia in rats. Specimens were obtained at two, six, 12, and 18 weeks. The results showed that when the HA was contained within the PGA mesh, severe displacement of particles was prevented and greater HA augmentation was possible. Absorption of the mesh took place between six and 12 weeks, after which the histologic features were the same as those seen when HA was implanted alone. Grossly, the implants appeared to hold firmly to bone even two weeks after implantation. A new, more efficacious delivery system is proposed for the augmentation of atrophic alveolar ridges using HA contained within PGA mesh tubes.