This study aims to present the preliminary studies related to the evaluation of the in vivo biocompatibility using the rat model of bioresorbable composite materials type collagen-tricalciumphophate and colagen-tricalcium phosphate-magnesium for potentially medical application in trauma surgery. These biomaterials could be used as short-term structural support for bone tissue defects and can be reabsorbed into the body after healing are being sought. For in-vivo evaluation of bioresorbable materials on 2 groups of twenty Wistar and brown Norway rats for a period of 18 months. We simulated tissue defects in different anatomical areas of the animals and these two types of biomaterials were implanted. The animals were evaluated periodically with clinical exams, laboratory tests (blood tests, histopatological tests, radiological control) and anatomical dissection for macroscopic examination of the tissues. After different times (3, 6 and18 months) of implantation we sacrificed the animals. We observed the resorbtion rate of the biomaterials into the tissues in conjunction with tissue regeneration. We also note the inflammatory response and foreign body reactions into the adjacent tissue, using histopathological examinations. Due to the reaction of the materials in contact with the bone narrow a layer of magnesium calcium phosphate was formed which contributes to the local tissue healing. Our preliminary investigation results on these materials demonstrate that all the implanted materials were absorbed in vivo without any pathological changes in the rat body. Other future researches will be made in order to validate these biomaterials as orthopedic biomaterials useful in bone defects regeneration.

Antibiotic delivery systems used in the past have consisted primarily of impregnated cement beads that required routine removal once the antibiotic had eluded completely. With the development of collagen scaffolds that could be used to fill bony defects the antibiotic cold be delivered from the scaffold used to sustain local bone growth. Over the course of two years antibiotic loaded collagen scaffolds were used in the local treatment of 21patients suffering of complicated fractures including bone defects, infections or pseudoarthrosis, all of them of traumatic nature. At the time of the initial surgical debridement or at subsequent second look procedures once local tissue viability was observed the antibiotic loaded collagen scaffold was inserted in the tissue defect and never removed. Excellent results were obtained and the infection was brought under control by use of both surgical and antibiotic modalities. Bone grafting was used in 6 cases where the defects were extensive. Where there was less extensive bone destruction the scaffold was a good adjuvant in new bone formation. Use of antibiotic loaded collagen scaffolds is a reliable and effective means of local antibiotic delivery system combining both the new bone formation capacity of the scaffold to hold osteoblasts with the ability to deliver high doses of antibiotic in the local tissue environment and thus avoiding the systemic toxicity.