Reconstruction of calvarial bone defects using poly(amino acid)/hydroxyapatite/calcium sulfate composite.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal properties and in vivo interface performance of poly(amino acid) (PAA) and a composite containing PAA, hydroxyapatite (HA), and calcium sulfate (CS), with respect to their suitability for skull repair. Biocompatibility was evaluated by implantation of materials into muscles of rabbits for eight weeks. Skull repair was assessed by implanting PAA, the compact PAA/HA/CS composite (c-PAA/HA/CS), and a one-side-porous PAA/HA/CS composite (p-PAA/HA/CS) into rabbit calvarial defects. The results showed that the PAA/HA/CS composite possessed good heat resistance and possessed excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Guided bone regeneration and calvarial repair were observed, with excellent integration between calvarial tissue and implant. The p-PAA/HA/CS composite performed best in terms of stability and bone bonding between implant and host bone tissue. Thus, the present work provides new information for the potential use of osteoconductive PAA/HA/CS composites with a macrostructure in calvarial bone repair.