Effects of hyaluronic acid (Hyalonect) on callus formation in rabbits.

Objective: Bone fragment and graft stabilization are important during reconstructive surgery of cases with comminuted fractures and bone defects. We examined the effect of Hyalonect surgical mesh on the healing dynamics of metaphyseal bone defects created in rabbit tibiae.

Methods: Approximately 5-mm defects were created on the anterior aspect of the proximal tibial metaphysis of 80 male rabbits. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups: Group I, bone defects left alone (control group); Group II, bone defect covered with Hyalonect; Group III, bone defect filled with allograft; and Group IV, bone defect filled with allograft and covered with Hyalonect.

Results: No significant histological differences were noted between Groups II and III or Groups III and IV at 3 and 6 weeks. At 3 weeks, Groups II, III, and IV had significantly better healing than Group I (p<0.05). In addition, Group IV showed significantly better healing than Group II at 3 and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, only Group IV showed better healing than Group I (p<0.05). Radiologically, Groups II, III, and IV showed better healing than Group I at 3 and 6 weeks (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Hyalonect application and bone grafting significantly accelerated the healing process when used alone or together. Hyalonect application along with bone grafting resulted in better early radiological healing than bone grafting alone.