Bone healing response to a synthetic calcium sulfate/beta-tricalcium phosphate graft material in a sheep vertebral body defect model

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential regenerative performance and advantages of genex over PMMA in a vertebral body defect animal model. The study shows genex exhibited an improved tissue response over PMMA, indicating a superior biological tolerance. Histological analysis showed at 8 weeks the cavity had been filled by new woven bone and fatty marrow and by 36 weeks the bone was lamellar in nature, with little genex remaining. PMMA on implantation provides higher mechanical compressive strength and stiffness to the bone defect, when compared to test material or sham groups. However, no statistical difference was observed between implant sites at 8-36 weeks, suggesting the generation of adequate bone architecture. The abstract can be read, and the full paper can be obtained here