Tissue response to porous tantalum acetabular cups: A canine model

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 347 - 354
• Main Authors: Bobyn, J.Dennis, Toh, Kai-Kai, Hacking, S.Adam, Tanzer, Michael, Krygier, Jan J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.1999
• Subjects: acetabular cup; Acetabulum - ultrastructure; Animals; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Biocompatible Materials; bone ingrowth; canine; Dogs; Hip Prosthesis; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osseointegration; Porosity; porous tantalum; Prosthesis Design; Tantalum; total hip arthroplasty; porous tantalum; acetabular cup; total hip arthroplasty; bone ingrowth; canine
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/S0883-5403(99)90062-1

This study evaluated the osseous tissue response to a noncemented metal-backed acetabular component made of a new porous tantalum biomaterial. Eleven dogs with bilateral total hip arthroplasties (22 acetabular implants) were studied for a period of 6 months. Thin section histology, high-resolution radiography, and backscattered scanning electron microscopy revealed that all 22 implants had stable bone-implant interfaces. Regions of bone ingrowth were present in all histologic sections. The depth of bone ingrowth varied from 0.2 mm to the maximal limit of 2 mm. Analyzing contiguous regions of interest across the full bone-implant interface, the mean bone ingrowth for all sections was 16.8% ± 5.7%. In the peripheral regions of the cup where bone-implant contact was most consistent, bone ingrowth averaged 25.1% ± 10.1%. The data indicate that the porous tantalum material is effective for biologic fixation in the dog and may provide a suitable alternative to other porous materials used in acetabular cup design.