Abstract
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a method for separating proliferating soft tissue from bone tissue. However, various factors may cause GTR membrane failure. This study aimed to prepare chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) composite membranes with and without glutaraldehyde crosslinking and drug loading for GTR. We characterized the mechanical and physiochemical properties of GTR membranes, including swelling, water vapor permeability, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and electrical properties, before and after ethylene oxide sterilization. Then, we conducted in vitrocytotoxicity, drug release, and permeation studies. Finally, we performed in vivo animal studies and limited clinical studies of the GTR biomembranes. The GTR biomembranes caused low in vitro cytotoxicity, good drug release and permeation, and excellent bone growth in our animal and clinical studies. Thus, our membranes allow efficient GTR and may be applicable for clinical bone healing treatments.