Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of polyglycolic acid bioabsorbable membrane and oxidised cellulose on the osteogenesis in bone defects. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four male adult New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.0 to 3.5 kg were used. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eighteen rabbits: the control group (n=18), the polyglycolic acid bioabsorbable membrane group (biofix group, n=18), and the oxidised cellulose group (Surgicel group, n=18). Each experimental group was also randomly subdivided into two subgroups of nine rabbits, one with periosteum and the other without periosteum. A rectangular transosseous calvarial bone defect, 16x20 mm in size, was created. In the control group, the calvarial bone defect was not filled. Polyglycolic acid bioabsorbable membrane (Biofix®, Bioscience, Tampere Finland) was implanted over the bone defect area in the biofix group, and oxidised cellulose (Surgicel®, Ethicone, London, United Kingdom) in the Surgicel group. The calvarial bone defects were evaluated-histopathologically in the second, sixth, and tenth weeks. Results: As for the results of sequential bone regeneration, macroscopical and histological aspects were observed. Bone formation was significantly enhanced by oxidised cellulose in the calvarial bone defects covered with periosteum, whereas cartilage formation was observed in bare calvarial bone defects. Conclusion: We believe that oxidised cellulose has osteogenic potential, and that polyglycolic acid bioabsorbable membrane inhibits osteoinductive effect and retards osteogenesis.

        Key words: periosteum, calvarial bone defect, osteogenesis, oxidised cellulose, polyglycolic acid bioabsorbable membrane