Evaluation of Radius Fracture Repair With Critical-Sized Bone Defects Using Polypropylene Surgical Mesh in Rats

Abstract

Bone fractures involving critical-sized defects pose a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery, often requiring innovative strategies to promote bone regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of polypropylene surgical mesh in repairing critical-sized radius bone defects in a rat model. Treatments included autologous grafts and a combination of mesh and graft, compared with an untreated control group. After 6 weeks, X-ray and CT scan analyses revealed significant bone healing and callus formation in the treated groups, with the graft + mesh group showing the most pronounced improvement. Histomorphometric analyses demonstrated that the mesh scaffold significantly enhanced new bone formation, osteoblast and osteocyte counts, and bone microarchitecture compared with grafts alone. These findings suggest that mesh scaffolds offer superior osteogenic potential and could provide a promising adjunct for treating critical-sized bone defects. Future studies should explore optimized mesh designs and the interplay between osteogenesis and angiogenesis to improve clinical outcomes.

Figure 1

X-ray radiographs of fractured radius at 6 weeks postfracture in various groups. (a) Control, (b) graft, and (c) graft + mesh.

Figure 2

Computed tomography (CT) scan images of fractured radius at 6 weeks postfracture in various groups. (a) Control, (b) graft, and (c) graft + mesh.

Figure 3

Histological sections of bone. (a) Control, (b) graft, and (c) graft + mesh. Scale bars: 200 μm.

Figure 4

Comparison of capillary, adipose, and dead bone (a) and connective tissue and new bone formation area (b) in control, graft, and graft + mesh groups. ^∗Significant difference with graft and graft + mesh at the same area (p < 0.0001). ^∗∗Significant difference with graft + mesh at the same area (p < 0.0001).

Figure 5

Comparison of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in control, graft, and graft + mesh groups. ^∗Significant difference with control and mesh. ^∗∗Significant difference with graft.