ObjectiveTo observe the morphological characteristic by implanting domestic porous tantalum in rabbit patellar tendon and to evaluate biocompatibility features so as to provide experimental basis for porous tantalum used as interface fixation between tendon and bone. MethodsA total of 48 adult New Zealand white rabbits, male or female, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, were selected. Porous tantalum flake (5 mm×5 mm×2 mm) was implanted in the left patellar tendon (experimental group) and the same size porous titanium flake in the right patellar tendon (control group). The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation, then the specimens were harvested for gross observation, HE staining, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, and hard slices observation. ResultsNo animal died after operation. Porous tantalum was bonded closely with host tendon and no inflammatory reaction was found. Loose and thick fibrous capsule was observed at the beginning and became density and thinner in the end by microscope, showing significant difference between different time points in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at different time points (P>0.05). The SEM observation showed that fibrous tissue attached to the surface and inner walls of porous tantalum at early stage, and extended on the material to reach confluence at late period, but the experimental group was more than the control group. Hard slices observation showed that the collagen fibrils were seen on porous tantalum interface with host tendon, and blood vessels grew into the pores. The control group and the experimental group showed no significant difference. ConclusionThe domestic porous tantalum has good biocompatibility. Connection and integration can be established between tendon and porous tantalum, and therefore it could be used in reconstruction of tendon-bone fixation device.