Histologic analysis of prefabricated, vascularized bone grafts: An experimental study in rabbits

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 292 - 295
• Main Authors: Çelik, Muzaffer, Tuncer, Serbat, Emekli, Ufuk, Kesim, Sinan Nur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2000
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Transplantation - methods; Dentistry; Ear, External - blood supply; Ear, External - innervation; Rabbits; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Zygoma - surgery
• ISSN: 0278-2391; 1531-5053
• DOI: 10.1016/S0278-2391(00)90056-9

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular quality of prefabricated bone grafts.
Materials and Methods: Small pieces of iliac bone were placed around the neurovascular bundle on the dorsal aspect of the ear of 11 one-month-old baby rabbits to create a prefabricated vascularized graft. In five animals, the prefabricated bone grafts were harvested for histologic examination 12 months later. In a second group of 6 rabbits, the prefabricated bone grafts, with the neurovascular bundle as a pedicle, were transferred after 30 days to a defect created by removing 1 cm of the midportion of zygoma on the right side of the face. The transferred bone was removed for histologic examination 11 months later.
Results: In both groups, microscopic examination showed the presence of a rich, vascular network and similar histologic characteristics to those of normal iliac bone.
Conclusion: The findings support the concept that prefabricated bone grafts are a potentially useful source for bony reconstruction.