M. Celik et al., Histologic analysis of prefabricated, vascularized bone grafts: An experimental study in rabbits, J ORAL MAX, 58(3), 2000, pp. 292-295
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 ne
urovascular 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 17 mon
ths later. In a second group of 6 rabbits, the prefabricated bone grafts, w
ith the neurovascular bundle as a pedicle, were transferred after 30 days t
o a defect created by removing 1 cm of the midportion of zygoma on the righ
t side of the face. The transferred bone Nas removed for histologic examina
tion 11 months later.
Results: In both groups, microscopic examination showed the presence of a r
ich, vascular network and similar histologic characteristics to those of no
rmal iliac bone.
Conclusion: The findings support the concept that prefabricated bone grafts
are a potentially useful source for bony reconstruction.