Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) patches for covering anterior skull base defects – an animal study with minipigs

Abstract

The examinations revealed an increasing closure of bone defect corresponding with time. The anterior skull base bone defect was completely closed after 9 months. The histological findings revealed a connective tissue and callus formation around the PHB patches with fibroblasts and foreign body/giant cell reaction growing through PHB membrane pores. There were no reactions or adhesions between brain and PHB or dura mater and PHB, respectively. Investigations of biodegradation and electron microscopy revealed a continuous breakdown of PHB in the course of time with variations due to different PHB structures. Microbiological investigations could not detect any florid intracranial infection.