MIDFACIAL FRACTURE REPAIR IN THE ADULT-RAT

The consensus in the literature is that fracture healing within the mi dface occurs via fibrous union. Clinical experience with the surgical correction of established traumatic deformities has not borne this out . An earlier histological examination with human biopsy specimens demo nstrated that eventually repair occurred by direct bony union. However , a recent study in a rabbit model challenged this conclusion and indi cated that the process of new formation resembles secondary bone forma tion as in endochondral formed bone. The purpose of our inquiry is to elucidate further the process of midfacial bony repair in an adult mal e Sprague-Dawley rat model.