AN EXPERIMENTAL RABBIT MODEL FOR STUDYING THE HEALING OF ONLAY BONE-GRAFTS

An experimental rabbit model for studying the incorporation of onlay b one grafts is described. Bone grafts hom radius served as the graft an d were positioned beneath the mandibular basis. Six rabbits were used in the study and healing periods of 6 weeks and 6 months were used. Ea ch animal was operated twice and in this way the grafts could be follo wed for six weeks on one side and for 6 months on the contralateral si de of the mandible. Healing of the bone graft with bony union to the m andibular base with cortical bone in contact with cortical bone was en couraging. Remodelling of the graft was observed after 6 weeks but was even more pronounced after 6 months. After 6 weeks osteoclastic/osteo blastic activity was primarily observed in the graft-recipient contact area and in the intracortical compartment of the grafted bone. The re sorption was most pronounced in the borderlines of the graft. It is co ncluded that the described experimental model can serve as a useful me thod for the study of onlay bone graft healing and interaction between implants and bone trans plants.