Influence of processing and sterilization on the mechanical properties of pins made from bovine cortical bone

: In a biomechanical study pins made of xenogenous cortical bone were tested in vitro. Forty pins of 3 mm diameter and 60 mm length were made of eight different cattle tibiae and allocated to five different treatment groups. Freeze-dried pins served as control group. Pins of the second group were preserved in concentrated sodium chloride solution and defatted with acetone (Tuto-plast processing). Pins of groups three to five were treated with sodium chloride and acetone and afterwards sterilized by different means (ethylene oxide, autoclavation, or gamma radiation). All pins were subjected to a three-point-bending test and a shear test. We found that bending strength and shearing strength were most increased after sodium chloride and acetone treatment, whereas after sterilization with ethylene oxide or autoclaving, the stability of the pins was similar to the control group. The stability was considerably diminished after gamma radiation. Taking into account possible toxic side effects of ethylene oxide, we conclude that Tutoplast processing followed by autoclavation presents a reliable preparation method for the clinical use of implants made of bovine cortical bone.