The effect of a penetrating biodegradable implant on the epiphyseal plate: an experimental study on growing rabbits with special regard to polyglactin 910.

A polyglactin 910 rod 3.2 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length was driven in a drill hole in the intercondylar portion of the right femur across the central portion of the growth plate in 20 5-week-old rabbits. The follow-up times were 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The distal femoral growth plates of both femurs were analyzed by radiographic, microradiographic, and oxytetracycline fluorescence, histological, and histomorphometric studies. Histomorphometric studies showed clear changes at injury site and appeared to be an excellent means of exact numerical description of the different cellular areas of the growth plate. Six weeks after implantation, a polyglactin 910 implant resulted in a growth disturbance similar to that of a drill hole of equal bore.