Use of a Flowable Bioabsorbable Membrane as a Barrier for Guided Bone Regeneration

Objective. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a flowable bioabsorbable membrane (Atrisorb®) (FBM) as a barrier membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Background. Atrisorb® is a resorbable membrance composed of poly(DLlactide) dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Methods. Ten patients with deficient alveolar ridge width received bone grafts using the FBM as a barrier to epithelial cell migration. The surgical procedure consisted of full thickness flaps and decortication of the defect. Bone particulate was then condensed into the defect and the FBM barrier was applied over the bone graft using an in situ method. Augmented sites were allowed to heal for 2 to 7 months, mean = 4.7 months. Results. Healing was uneventful with no major complications. Two sites experienced a flap dehiscence accompanied by barrier exposure during the initial healing period. Secondary healing was achieved soon after with no signs of infection. The barrier exposure rate of 20% corresponds favorably to that of other resorbable membranes. Upon reentry the FBM was still present, and retained its structural integrity with mineralized bone tissue beneath it. The in situ application in conjunction with bone grafts provided space for bone regeneration and the barrier function was able to exclude epithelial cell down growth allowing for new bone formation. Conclusions. The results of this study 24 indicate that a FBM meets the criteria required for membranes used in GBR: biocompatibility, tissue occlusion, and clinical manageability. Atrisorb® has the potential of being a viable alternative to traditional resorbable membranes for use in GBR procedures.