Dacron-Urethane Composite for Reconstructive Surgery

Abstract

AbstractA composite biocompatible material made of polyethyleneterephalate (Dacron) and polyetherurethane was fabricated as an aid to bone grafting for the reconstruction of large bony defects of the craniomaxillofacial regions. Bone graft material is placed within the confines of the Dacron-urethane implant and new bone forms to the shape imposed by the implant.The principle application of this material has been for the reconstruction of defects of the neurocranium and of the mandible [1–5]. A number of other applications have been studied including reconstruction of long bone discontinuity defects [6], reconstruction of an infant's anterior chest wall [19], the prosthetic replacement of large defects of the cervical trachea [7] and as a potential material for a thrombo-resistant small diameter vascular prosthesis [8].