Acceleration of de novo bone formation following application of autogenous bone to particulated anorganic bovine material in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective animal study examined the de novo bone formation following application of deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) with or without autogenous bone (AB) to osseous defects.

STUDY DESIGN: Defects of defined size were created in the frontal skull of domestic pigs and filled with DBBM alone (group A) and DBBM+25%AB (group B). De novo bone formation was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively at 9 different times (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 26 weeks) by means of light microscopy, microradiography, and statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Histological analysis indicated sufficient osseointegration of DBBM in both groups. Microradiography demonstrated a significant increase of bone formation in group B after 6 weeks (P = .0159) and 8 weeks (P = .0317).

CONCLUSION: The addition of 25%AB to DBBM results in accelerated de novo bone formation in osseous defects. This effect is likely caused by osteoinductive properties of cellular elements transplanted with the autogenous bone.