Cold ischemic damage to bone.

To clarify changes in bone tissue and osteogenetic ability after preservation under conditions of cold ischemic, a series of experiments were carried out using a rat model. Animals were grouped as follows: a group of 11 rats whose amputated legs were preserved in Euro-Collins solution at 4 degrees C for 24 hr and then transferred to the corresponding site of a different genetically similar rat; a group of seven animals whose amputated legs were preserved for 48 hr under the same conditions and transferred in the same way; and a control group of 11 animals whose legs were amputated and the femoral artery and vein left intact. After triple fluorochrome bone labeling of specimens obtained from all rats of these groups, decalcified and undecalcified sections were prepared and examined. In the cortical bone, ischemia led to spongy and irregular proliferation, increased lacunae, and decreased bone marrow cells and the bone marrow circulation was assumed to be more markedly impaired than the periosteal circulation. On fluorochrome bone labeling, specimens of the transfers preserved for 24 hr resembled those on the unoperated side, despite notable partial periosteal bone proliferation. In contrast, bone proliferation was obscure and irregular in specimens preserved for 48 hr. Bone morphology was well maintained, together with osteogenetic ability, after 24-hr preservation in Euro-Collins solution at 4 degrees C, although this was not possible after 48-hr preservation.