Sterility and bioactivity evaluation of two types of bone graft substitutes after removing the original packaging

BACKGROUND. Xenograft and allograft bone substitutes are widely used to replace the missing bone in defects. Since removing the packaging of these grafts can nullify their sterilization, this study aimed to evaluate the sterility and bioactivity changes of an allograft and a xenograft following uncapping/recap. METHODS. Two types of commercial allograft and xenograft vials were unpacked and further exposed to operating room air, where implant surgery was performed for one second, ten minutes, and one hour. After three repetitions, samples were analyzed using microbiological tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) for sterility and bioactivity evaluation. RESULTS. None of the bone graft samples showed microbial growth or bioactivity-negative changes after seven days of unpacking the vials. CONCLUSION. Despite the positive results of this study, future studies and more analysis considering influential factors are required. Also, disinfection and air exchange must still be observed during biomaterial application and bone grafting procedures.