Blood Loss Enhances Osseousintegration of Porous Coated Implants in the Rabbit

Systemic osteosynthesis as a consequence of acute blood loss was investigated by assessment of osseousintegration of porous-coated implants in rabbits. All implants were examined 6 weeks after insertion. Increased bone ingrowth was noted in implants inserted at 0, 3 and 6 weeks after bleeding (107%, 110% and 250%, respectively; p< 0.05 to 0.001). Mechanical testing and assay of bone-derived serum alkaline phosphatase confirmed the backscattering electron imaging analysis. In a second series of animals, implants evaluated 3 weeks after insertion but placed at the time of bleeding and 6 weeks after bleeding revealed no change from the control nonbleed animals. This “osseousintegration” model suggests that a timed sequence of autologous blood donation by patients electing joint replacement may have beneficial effects not previously recognized. (The J Histotechnol 20:225, 1997)