The preformed autologous bone graft. An experimental study in the rabbit.

The preformation of bone grafts involves a two-step procedure. Primarily a mould is inserted in the donor bone. After a healing period of about 6 weeks (rabbits) the mould is removed. The performed bone graft (PBG) consists of the former cortical bone that has remodelled according to the shape of the mould. PBGs are today used clinically in selected cases of mandibular reconstruction. The present paper is the first in an animal experiment series investigating the PBG. It is shown that the PBG vascular supply is rearranged towards a more marrow-dominated circulation. Six weeks after the mould installation the bone showed evidence of accretion in the form of new-developed bone protrusions along the inner mould walls. A histochemical investigation revealed that the PBG surface cells survived the surgical trauma in a higher percentage than was the case when corresponding control grafts were examined.