Biopolymer-based biomaterial containing gold nanoparticle-bioactive glass for bone regeneration in a complicated tibial fracture in a dog: a case report

Andreea Niculina¹Alexandra Dreanca^1*Ciprian Andrei Ober¹Nicușor-Valentin OROS¹Cosmin Pestean¹Marza Sorin Marian¹Daniela Neagu¹Klara Magyari^2*Cristina Gado¹Liviu Oana¹

• ¹University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania
• ²Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

A revision surgery for a tibial fracture in a dog, complicated by a secondary fracture site, implant migration, breakage, and bending of the initial implants, was described. After diaphyseal tibial osteotomy, the resulting gaps and bone defects were filled with alginate–pullulan–bioactive glass–gold nanoparticles (Alg-Pll-BGAuSP) composite. The objective of applying this composite was to stimulate cell proliferation, based on its demonstrated bioactive effect, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and osteoinductive properties. The regenerative process was clinically and radiologically followed, the scope of this study being the improved outcome of the treatment and also the welfare of the animal. At 12 weeks postoperatively, the implants were removed, and the limb resumed its initial function. The application of this biomaterial enhanced the healing of a long bone defect, promoting the formation of high-quality bone tissue in a relatively short time, despite the absence of anastomosis at the defect margins and the complexity of the case. Thus, the Alg-Pll-BGAuSP composite appears to be a viable treatment scaffold for further bone regenerative clinical trials. This first clinical report supports its potential as a scaffold for bone regeneration in complicated fractures.