Efficacy of polycaprolactone in maintenance of bone defects in ulnar ostectomies

Polycaprolactone (PCL), a synthetic polyester, was investigated as an interpositional material to delay bone healing following partial ulnar ostectomies in dogs. Bone healing did not occur in 6 of 10 ostectomy sites 8 to 24 weeks following surgery in which a PCL cap was placed over the proximal cut end of the ulna, or in four of six ostectomy sites filled with melted PCL that hardened into a plug. Bone healing occurred in ulnectomy sites in which technical problems in positioning and stabilizing the polymer implants occurred. The PCL was well tolerated by the dogs and was an effective mechanical barrier to tissue bridging when adequately stabilized..