Effectiveness of Absorbable Electrified Poly-L-lactic Acid Membrane for Bone Regeneration in Rats

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of bone regeneration around bone defects, using absorbable electrified poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) membrane, and to compare the effectiveness of membrane to Gore-Tex Augmentation material (GTAM®) and non-electrified polylactic acid (PLA) membrane. Methods: Wistar-strain male rats, of ages 13 to 15 weeks, were used. A hole, 2.0mm in diameter, was drilled in the femoral diaphysis. Group A's experimental site was covered with GTAM®; Group B's was covered with non-electrified PLA; and Groups C's and D's were covered with PLLA membrane (Mw=10×104 or 30×104). The experimental periods were 2 and 4 weeks. Bone specimens were stained with Villanueva bone stain. Microscopic histopathological observations were made. Results: The PLLA groups showed more accelerated bone growth and bone maturity than did the GTAM® groups in the early stages, especially in the 30×104 Mw group, where a greater amount of bone tissue and increase of maturity was observed. Results of the GTAM® groups were almost the same as the control PLA group, and inferior to the PLLA groups, through all experimental periods. PLLA is easily shaped to fit bone surface to maintain desired space. Conclusion: PLLA membrane might therefore be used to obtain a better result in clinical application for guided bone regeneration than PLA and/or GTAM®.