Tissue Reactions to Porous Silicon: A Comparative Biomaterial Study

Abstract

This study addresses cellular reactions in soft tissue induced by implants of porous and planar silicon, oxidised (porous) titanium and polished (planar) titanium. The implants were inserted in rat abdominal wall for 1, 6 or 12 weeks. All types of implants for the different times were sectioned and stained for ED1 and ED2 positive cells. All implant types displayed the same density of ED1 and ED2 positive macrophages but the capsule formation was different for the different implants. The planar implants displayed an increased in capsule formation over time and the porous implants displayed a constant capsule thickness over time.