Evaluation of the effectiveness of the membrane composed of biodegradable polycaprolactone and polyglycolic acid layers in guided bone regeneration

Introduction: Regeneration of bone defects remains a challenge in the treatment process. Various treatment methods for bone regeneration have been identified and their effectiveness investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a membrane composed of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) layers on guided bone regeneration (GBR) and its impact on new bone formation. Materials and Methods: 12 Wistar rats were used in the study. 24 standard bilateral defect areas created on the parietal bones of the rats were equally and randomly distributed into four groups. 3 dimensional (3D) printed PCL membranes and membranes obtained by coating PGA to the inner surface of the 3D printed PCL membrane were randomly placed in the parietal bone defect areas of each rat. PCL membranes were used in the defects in the control group. In the defects in group 1, PCL+PGA membranes were used with human-derived freeze-dried bone graft, equine xenograft and autologous blood. In the defects in group 2, PCL+PGA membranes were used with autologous blood. In the defects in group 3, PCL membranes were used with autologous blood. Half of the animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks, and the other half after 8 weeks. Histopathological examinations and stereological analyses were performed. Results: As a result of stereological analyses, the new bone and total tissue volume in group 2 (PCL+PGA membrane) at 4 weeks was significantly higher than in all other groups (p<0.001). At week 4, the total tissue volume in group 2 was statistically significantly higher than that of all other groups (p<0,001). At week 8, new bone volume in group 2 was significantly higher than in groups 1 and 3 (p<0.001), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between group 2 and the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: In guided bone regeneration, the membrane combination formed by coating PCL with PGA was found to increase new bone formation in the early period of bone regeneration.