Abstract

Absorbable atelo-collagen sponge (TERUPLUG(R), Termo Co. Tokyo, Japan) is inserted in the extraction wound where alveolar bone is exposed. It protects wounds and promotes the formation of granulation. This is made of atelo-collagen, to minimize antigenicity, which is cross-linked by heat treatment for biocompatibility. TERUPLUG(R) consists of between 85 and 95 % of collagen type I and between 5 to 15 % of collagen type III. The raw material for the collagen is derived from bovine skin. It features a sponge block design and is shaped for easy insertion in the extraction wound. This study was designed to find out the bone healing capacity of TERUPLUG(R). We implanted TERUPLUG(R) (experimental group I) and TERUPLUG(R) with rhBMP-2 (experimental group II) in the rabbit cranium defect and then histologically analysed the specimen. The results were as follows. 1. In the 4 weeks, a lot of the newly formed collagen fibers around material of the experimental group I implanted TERUPLUG(R) were observed. But, in the experimental group II implanted TERUPLUG(R) with rhBMP-2, a little of newly formed collagen fibers around material were observed. The cell proliferating activity and apoptosis of the experimental group I, II was positive in and around the implanted material. 2. In the 8 weeks, the amount of newly formed and matured bone in the experimental group II was more observed than the experimental group I and control group. The results of this study indicate that absorbable atelo-collagen sponge (TERUPLUG(R)) is relatively favorable bone void filler with biocompatibility and has the better bone healing capacity in case of application with rhBMP-2.