Reimplantation of freeze-treated mandibular bone.

Mandibular bone devitalized by freezing after removal from the body and subsequent reimplantation was observed for its potential to act as a framework of new bone formation. Clinical union and bony replacement occurred when the reimplanted bone was covered by healthy, well-vascularized soft tissue. New bone initially formed subperiosteally along the devitalized bone. Later specimens showed increased production of endosteal bone. The results suggest that a resected mandible subjected to freezing might be immediately reimplanted as a graft when the mandible is involved as part of a radical operative procedure. Further studies are indicated to evaluate this potential when the periosteal covering is removed.