HETEROTOPIC MICROVASCULAR EPIPHYSEAL PLATE TRANSPLANTATION - A NEW MODEL USING THE RABBIT METATARSAL

The purpose of this study is to develop a new vascularized epiphyseal plate model in the New Zealand White rabbit using a metatarsal epiphys eal plate having limited longitudinal growth potential. Such a model c ould be utilized in various experiments aimed at manipulating epiphyse al plate growth. The viability of the harvested live subject grafts wa s demonstrated with continued epiphyseal uptake during Tc99-MDP radion uclide bone scanning. The currently described models used in epiphysea l transplant research all involve long bone epiphyseal plates with sig nificantly greater growth potential than the new metatarsal model. Thi s new model therefore fills a void in the field by allowing investigat ors to transplant a growth plate with limited growth potential into an y heterotopic site and study the effects of various hormonal and physi cal influences upon epiphyseal plate growth performance. (C) 1995 Wile y-Liss, Inc.