In order to evaluate tissue repair after the use of castor oil polymer implant additioned with 40% sodium carbonate, isolated or associated to autogenous bone marrow in heterotopic site and in experimental bone gaps in radii of rabbits, 30 White New Zealand rabbits were submitted to bilateral radial ostectomy. In 15 rabbits the bone gap of the right side was filled with polymer cylinders (group P) of similar size of the gaps; the remaining rabbits received autogenous bone marrow with the implant (group M). The bone defects of the left limb did not receive any treatment and served as control. Six rabbits received 6 implants in the Rectus abdominus muscle (heterotopic site) and in three of these rabbits the implants was associated with bone marrow. In the radiographic study both groups presented increased radiopacity at the implant site without bone axis deviation or resorption of the receptor bone ends. Group P presented irregular calcification areas at the peripheral region and over the polymer. Group M presented a more intense, regular and precocious radiopacity pattern in relation to group P. In microscopical evaluation there was evidence of immature bone tissue formation tending to organize itself, isolated sprouts of neoformed bone over the polymer and its superficial pores. It was concluded that implant allows osteogenenesis and osteoconduction in bone gaps, and bone formation was progressive, especially when additioned bone marrow aspirate; there was capillary, perivascular tissue and osteoprogenitor cells migrating into the pores; with fibrovascular tissue permeating implant surface; implants incorporation was slowly and was found incomplete until 9 weeks; the implant was able to induce foreign body reaction without toxic or secondary reactions to its presence. In heterotopic and orthotopic sites, the implant was not able to induce bone formation, inciting mild foreign-body reaction with giant cells and surrounding fibrous layer.
ricinus communis; implant; bone graft
