A bone chamber for investigation of gas pressure: Oxygen tension measured in rabbits

Abstract

Titanium implants containing a chamber that allowed ingrowth of bone were modified from a previous design to allow the use of oxygen microelectrodes. The modification consisted of the placement of ports in the superior surface of the implant for the insertion of oxygen electrodes into the tissue within the bone growth chamber. Forty titanium bone growth chambers were inserted into the proximal tibial metaphyses of 20 rabbits. From 2 to 20 days, oxygen tension was measured inside the chambers of 2 rabbits immediately prior to death. The oxygen tensions increased, declined, and increased again. Our results indicate that oxygen tensions fluctuate during the initial period of healing reflecting cellular changes in the callus.