BOOK REVIEWHuman biomaterials applications Edited by D. L. Wise, D. J. Trantolo, D. E. Altobelli, M. J. Yaszemski and J. D. Gresser., 1996, $185, pp 462 (Humana Press, New Jersey), also Chapman & Hall, UK This volume has been compiled by an editorial committee of five eminent US-based biomaterial scientists. They have organised it, by the type of biomaterial application into four sections: I Selected Biomaterials and Biocompatibility Studies; II Case Studies of Orthopaedic Biomaterials; III Specific Biomedical Applications of Biomaterials; and IV Functional Biomaterials. This allows the reader to focus attention on specific areas. The volume contains 19 chapters, each written by a group of experts assembled from a number of international institutions. The editors contribute to six of the chapters and, as such, some of the work necessarily reflects their own specific research interests. Many of the chapters take the form of subject reviews, although some contain results of recent research. In addition, the application of biomaterials often includes discussion on quality control using a range of instrumentation. The importance of this aspect of the industry cannot be understated. Various aspects associated with biocompatibility are reviewed in the first chapter. This is followed by a comprehensive review of bacterial adhesion to biomaterial surfaces by An et al. (South Carolina). The authors detail the pathways by which bacteria accumulate on prosthetic surfaces, which can lead to infection and ultimate prosthetic failure. A range of orthopaedic materials are discussed in section II. The current state of research involving bone morphogenic protein (BMP) in osteoinductive implants is detailed by the prestigious group from Japan (Takaoka and Ono). Other case studies involve biodegradable polymeric alloys in the production of bone fracture fixation systems, the host response to debris from non-metallic implants and calcium hydroxyapatite in total joint arthroplasty. Two chapters by the editors discuss the use of bone cements in two separate applications, namely, in avulsive maxillofacial repair and in the bridging of gaps to restore the load bearing function of bone. A review of the biomaterial considerations in cardiac prosthesis is presented by Nosé and colleagues (Houston). This is followed by a review of the use of polymeric materials for external prostheses and orthoses, written by a group from the UK. It is important to examine the success of advanced polymeric composite structures as they interface with body tissues in load bearing applications. These topics are largely ignored by other biomaterial volumes and the editors should be congratulated for its inclusion. Other excellent review chapters involve biomaterials in vascular surgery, opthalmology and a scientific description of controlled release systems for the delivery of vaccines. The final section includes chapters describing two options available for the repair of skin tissues.. Boyce (Cincinnati, USA) discusses the use of cell seeded biopolymeric systems, whereas Ellis and Yannas (MIT, USA) detail the performance of analogues of extracellular matrix involving, for example, collagen and glycosaminoglycan co-polymers, in the regeneration of skin and peripheral nerves. The editors have attempted to cover a wide range of applications involving all classes of materials. As such a reader is most likely to refer only to specific chapters. However, this book makes a useful contribution to the literature associated with this vibrant subject area. DAN BADER QMC, London | ||