Biodegradable fixation of rabbit osteotomies.

Osteotomies of the tibial diaphysis were operatively fixed with biodegradable implants in 44 rabbits. Polyglycolic acid (PGA)/polylactic acid (PLA) copolymer implants reinforced with 7 per cent carbon fibre and overlaid with gold were used in 24 rabbits. Poly-beta-hydroxy butyric acid (PHBA) with carbon fibre reinforcement and gold surfacing were used in 20 rabbits. No external support was used. Unsatisfactory results were achieved with the PGA/PLA copolymer implants. Better results were achieved in 15 out of 20 rabbits whose osteotomies were fixed with carbon fibre-reinforced PHBA implants.