[Reciprocal transplantation of cranial and facial sutures in guinea pigs: a histologic evaluation].

The objectives of this experimental study were to evaluate histological responses following cross-transplantations of the contrastive metopic and internasal sutures and to determine the nature of their integration and metamorphosis in the respective new functional environments. Twenty-two Hartly guinea pigs were utilized. They were divided into three groups: a nonsurgical control group, a surgical control group, and an experimental group. Vital dyes were injected weekly to each animal. Two histological procedures were used: paraffin embedded decalcified sections for observations of fine cellular structures, ground sections for UV visualisation of the vital dye labelling and new bone formation. Amalgam implants markers were also used around the metopic and internasal sutures for measurements of the amount of expansion taking place at the levels of these sutures. The results demonstrate that expansion and growth activity at these sutural junctions are minimal, that the sutural characteristics relate to the nature of the functional environment, and that, following transplantation to exchanged sites each suture will adopt the characteristics and come to conform with the functional requirements of the new site. It is concluded that sutural tissues are appropriate for early manipulations in craniofacial surgery as transplantable sites for subsequent growth. Nevertheless, a great deal of experimental study will be required to determine possible donor sites and appropriate timings for surgical transplants.