Implant fixation with titanium alloy repairs spinal tuberculosis:its biocompatibility and mechanical properties / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Currently, surgical implant fixation is mainly applied for spinal tuberculosis. How to choose implant materials, however, is stil under discussion.OBJECTIVE:To compare the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of titanium al oy and stainless steel for rabbit spinal tuberculosis. METHODS:Thirty rabbits were chosen to prepare spinal tuberculosis models. Then, the rabbits were equivalently randomized into two groups, which underwent implant fixation with stainless steel or titanium al oy, respectively. At 30 days after implantation, biocompatibility and biomechanical properties of the two materials in the repaired region of spine were observed and detected, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In view of the biocompatibility, infection and immunological rejection could not been found in the titanium al oy group;in contrast, infection appeared in three rabbits of the stainless steel group. Flexion, extension and lateral bending displacements under the spinal loading in the titanium al oy group were significantly less than those in the stainless steel group (P<0.05);axial pul-out strength in the titanium al oy group was significantly higher than that in the stainless steel group (P<0.05);flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial compression in the titanium al oy group were significantly greater than those in the stainless steel group (P<0.05). In conclusion, titanium al oy material has good biocompatibility that can be used to restore and maintain the spinal stability.