In vitro and in vivo comparison of five biomaterials used for orthopedic soft tissue augmentation.

Objective—To compare biomaterials used in orthopedics with respect to in vitro cell viability and cell retention and to in vivo tissue healing and regeneration. Animals—65 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats and synovium, tendon, meniscus, and bone marrow specimens obtained from 4 adult canine cadavers. Procedures—Synovium, tendon, meniscus, and bone marrow specimens were used to obtain synovial fibroblasts, tendon fibroblasts, meniscal fibrochondrocytes, and bone marrow–derived connective tissue progenitor cells for culture on 5 biomaterials as follows: cross-linked porcine small intestine (CLPSI), non–cross-linked human dermis, cross-linked porcine dermis, non–cross-linked porcine small intestine (NCLPSI), and non–cross-linked fetal bovine dermis. After 1 week of culture, samples were evaluated for cell viability, cell density, and extracellular matrix production. Biomaterials were evaluated in a 1-cm2 abdominal wall defect in rats. Each biomaterial was subjectively evaluated for handling, suturing, defect...