Evaluation of Osseointegration Ability of Porous Polyethylene Implant (Medpor) Treated with Chitosan

Purpose. We suggest a successful and simple Medpor treated way with chitosan and evaluate more improved osseointegration ability of it than the orignal. Materials and Methods. Medpor was punched into circular shape and dipped into the chitosan gel solution. The Medpor plates soaked with chitosan were identified by the SEM images. We evaluated the growth rate of MC3T3-E1 cell using Von Kossa staining and MTT assay as in vitro experiment. And we implanted both Medpor plates into skull of domestic rabbits for in vivo experiment. We evaluated the osseointegration result with an optical microscope in postoperative 3 weeks and 6 weeks histologically. Results. The in vitro MC3T3-E1 cell growth rate on Medpor soaking with chitosan was faster than the original one in both Von Kossa staining and MTT assay. In animal test, Medpor soaking with chitosan shows more pronounced new bone than original Medpor too. Conclusion. Medpor soaking with chitosan was a successful modification. It is believed that the upgraded osseointegration ability of Medpor soaking with chitosan gives many benefits to clinicians using a Medpor implant for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction surgery.