Summary:
Purpose: to investigate the reaction of the connective tissue to filling of the tubes with sterile and contaminated debris
N= 24 implants implanted in 6 animals.
Materials/Methods:
- Varying lengths (4, 6, 10 mm) and diameters (0.58- 0.1.4mm) of polyethylene tubing” were surgically implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissues of rats. Tubes were sealed at one end disinfected.
- In the 1st part of the study: the Lumina of the tubes were filled with sterile fragments of muscle tissue
- In the 2nd part of the study: the muscles was autoclaved and then inoculated with gram negative cocci.
- The tubes were left implanted for a period of 60 days, following which the animals were killed and the implants, together with the surrounding tissue, were excised.
- Specimens were then fixed in 10% formalin and later sectioned serially and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Mallory’s collagen stain
Most highlighted Results:
- In the 1st part: tubes were surrounded by a non-inflamed connective tissue capsule except in the area directly opposite the orifice of the tube lumen. (mild to moderate inflammation).
- In 2nd part: connective tissue showed moderate to intense inflammation and abscess formation
Clinical significance:
prognosis for repair about the open end of the tube was least favorable when the lumen was filled with muscle debris and microorganisms. Both groups produced conditions that were less favorable for repair than when the lumen of the tube was sterile and clean.