NEW TECHNIQUE FOR CREATING PERMANENT EXPERIMENTAL ALVEOLAR CLEFTS IN A RABBIT MODEL

Alveolar bone grafting is an adjunctive procedure that has become incr easingly popular in the rehabilitation of patients with cleft lip and palate. A histologic basis of the performance of bone grafts is requir ed to evaluate properly different grafting materials. This, however, c annot be provided by clinical studies on humans. Therefore, an animal model with a simulated alveolar cleft is needed. A number of animal mo dels has been previously proposed by other investigators. The problems associated with each model are presented and a surgical technique for the creation of permanent alveolar clefts in rabbits is described. Cl inical and histologic findings 6 weeks postoperatively confirm the est ablishment of a 1-cm wide defect with oronasal communication and healt hy epithelial lining. This animal model can be efficiently used for th e testing of various bone grafting materials.