Pavol Rusnák

Background: Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) is defined as a complete or partial separation of the surgical incision site after surgery and represents a serious complication in soft tissue surgery. Case presentation: We present a clinical case of wound dehiscence in a 7-month-old dachshund. The primary cause was an attack by another dog, leading to the development of a deep bite wound in the back area perforating the anus and numerous minor injuries in the same area. After initial treatment and apparently good general health, numerous necrotic foci were observed during wound cleaning on the 3rd day after treatment. The wound was subsequently revised and an experimentally developed biomaterial based on chitosan in combination with manuka honey was applied. The use of this combination resulted in an accelerated healing process and almost complete closure of the wound already on the 12th day after application. Conclusions: This case demonstrates and simultaneously points to the promising possibilities of using chitosan-based biomaterials and honey as natural products for the successful treatment of wounds and management of postoperative complications.

The treatment of osteochondral defects still poses a challenge, despite the fact that there are currently many methods and various materials designed for the regeneration of these tissues. The aim of our study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and bioactive potential of an innovative biocement enriched with manuka honey and α-tricalcium phosphate in a porcine model, with a focus on subchondral bone regeneration. Osteochondral defects of the medial femoral condyle were treated with the tested biocement in five animals, and five additional animals served as controls (untreated defect). After six months of observation, the regenerative potential of the therapeutic strategy was evaluated macroscopically, using imaging methods (X-ray, CT, and MRI) and histological examination. The studied biomaterial showed no cytotoxicity and proved to be biocompatible. In the in vivo system, based on imaging and histological methods, a typical trabecular organization with cellular elements has been observed in all animals treated with the tested biocement, indicating active remodeling and maturation processes. In animals with untreated defects, incomplete healing of the bone defect occurred, with limited areas of trabecular bone and incomplete boundaries between the cartilage and subchondral bone. Our pilot study, employing a multi-method approach to investigate the in vivo effects of a novel biocement on bone tissue regeneration, may highlight the potential contribution of biomaterials to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the context of osteochondral regeneration.

Osteochondral defects of the knee represent a significant clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the osteochondral unit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of calcium phosphate-based biomaterials combined with honey in a porcine model. Osteochondral defects were surgically induced and treated with a custom-prepared composite material. Tissue regeneration was assessed using integrated macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, supported by multimodal imaging techniques. The outcomes were compared with both a spontaneous healing group and a control site with native cartilage. The composite biomaterial significantly enhanced osteochondral regeneration, with results comparable to healthy cartilage. Notably, improved structural organization and more advanced healing responses were observed in the treated group compared to spontaneous healing. The beneficial effects are attributed to the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of honey, which may enhance the regenerative microenvironment and support tissue repair. These findings highlight the potential of calcium phosphate-based biomaterials combined with honey as a promising strategy for osteochondral defect treatment, improving structural, biological, and biomechanical aspects of healing.

Hyaline articular cartilage has unique physiological, biological, and biomechanical properties with very limited self-healing ability, which makes the process of cartilage regeneration extremely difficult. Therefore, research is currently focused on finding new and potentially better treatment options. The main objective of this in vivo study was to evaluate a novel biocement CX consisting of tetracalcium phosphate–monetit biocement hardened with a phytic acid–phytase mixture for the regeneration of osteochondral defects in sheep. The results were compared with tetracalcium phosphate–monetit biocement with classic fast-setting cement systems and untreated defects. After 6 months, the animals were sacrificed, and the samples were evaluated using macroscopic and histologic methods as well as X-ray, CT, and MR-imaging techniques. In contrast to the formation of fibrous or fibrocartilaginous tissue on the untreated side, treatment with biocements resulted in the formation of tissue with a dominant hyaline cartilage structure, although fine fibres were present (p < 0.001). There were no signs of pathomorphological changes or inflammation. Continuous formation of subchondral bone and hyaline cartilage layers was present even though residual biocement was observed in the trabecular bone. We consider biocement CX to be highly biocompatible and suitable for the treatment of osteochondral defects.

Reconstruction of bone defects and maintaining the continuity of the mandible is still a challenge in the maxillofacial surgery. Nowadays, the biomedical research within bone defect treatment is focussed on the therapy of using innovative biomaterials with specific characteristics consisting of the body’s own substances. Hydroxyapatite ceramic scaffolds have fully acceptable phase compositions, microstructures and compressive strengths for their use in regenerative medicine. The innovative hydroxyapatite ceramics used by us were prepared using the tape-casting method, which allows variation in the shape of samples after packing hydroxyapatite paste to 3D-printed plastic form. The purpose of our qualitative study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of the innovative ceramic biomaterial prepared using this method in the therapy of the cortical bone of the lower jaw in four mature pigs. The mandible bone defects were evaluated after different periods of time (after 3, 4, 5 and 6 months) and compared with the control sample (healthy cortical bone from the opposite side of the mandible). The results of the morphological, clinical and radiological investigation and hardness examination confirmed the positive regenerative potential of ceramic implants after treatment of the mandible bone defects in the porcine mandible model.