Nonsurgical Closure of Oroantral Communications With a Biodegradable Polyurethane Foam: A Pilot Study in Rabbits
Purpose
Surgical closure of oroantral communications (OACs) has several disadvantages. An animal study was performed to test whether OACs can be closed nonsurgically with a biodegradable polyurethane (PU) foam.
Materials and Methods
In 6 rabbits, an OAC was created on both sides of the maxilla. Three rabbits were used to evaluate the animal model by applying a surgical treatment on 1 side and by leaving the other defects untreated. In the 3 other rabbits, OACs were closed with PU foam. Wound healing was evaluated clinically and histologically.
Results
The surgically treated defects healed without complications. The untreated defects showed complicated and delayed healing. Healing of the foam-treated OACs was dependent on the type of foam that was used.
Conclusions
The rabbit is a suitable animal model for OAC investigations. It is possible to close an OAC with a biodegradable PU foam. Further research is needed to show the most suitable composition of the PU for this purpose.
⁎Research Associate and Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
†Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
‡Research Analyst, Department of BioMedical Engineering, Section of Biocompatibility and Biomaterials, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
§Assistant Professor, Department of BioMedical Engineering, Section of Biocompatibility and Biomaterials, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
∥Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr van Minnen: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT