Our results showed a great tolerance for silicone spacers to
induce Masquelet’s membranes in irradiated sites. Non-irradiated
membranes induced by the two spacer types were non-inflammatory,
fibrous and organized in layers of collagen fibres.
Irradiation did not change the macroscopic properties of membranes
induced by silicone, while PMMA induced membranes were
sensitive to radiotherapy, resulting in thicker, strongly inflammatory
membranes. Irradiated membranes showed an overall
reduced osteogenic potential. Although the results need confirmation
in a bone site, the use of medical grade silicone for reconstructing
large bone defects might be of great advantage for
patients under cancer treatment, since the silicone spacer is easy
to remove, showed great tolerance for the radiotherapy and better
preserved the vascularisation of the membrane. Therefore, radiotherapy
could be performed during the time of membrane formation,
reducing the number of surgical interventions.