The effect of hydrogen gas evolution of magnesium implant on the postimplantation mortality of rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Hydrogen gas cavity is formed during in vivo degradation of magnesium implants. In many studies, the gas cavity is mostly punctured out subcutaneously. However, this procedure becomes inapplicable in certain internal surgeries; therefore, the effect of this gas cavity is worth further assessment. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of hydrogen gas evolution on the mortality of rats and analysed the whole body capacity to relieve the gas. Porous pure-magnesium implants were implanted in the femoral bone defect of adult Sprague-Dawley rats up to 18 days, and their survival rate was calculated while the gas cavity size was measured, and its effect was analysed with support of radiographic and blood analysis. RESULTS: The gas cavity was rapidly formed surrounding the implantation site and obviously decreased the rats' survival rate. The gas was observed to swell the surrounding implantation site by filling the loose compartments and then dispersing subcutaneously to other areas. CONCLUSION: The rat's whole body capacity was unable to tolerate the rapid and persistent hydrogen gas cavity formation as shown by high postimplantation mortality.