Blood vessel implantation into ischemic bone.

Blood vessel implantation, core decompression, and core decompression plus cancellous bone grafting were compared in 36 adult mongrel dogs to evaluate their relative effectiveness in revascularizing an ischemic femoral head. Each of the methods resulted in a reversal of the ischemic changes to varying degrees. Blood vessel implantation resulted in increased new bone formation at the site of vessel implantation but no significant revascularization in the peripheral portion of the femoral head. The method of creating avascular necrosis of the femoral head of the canine, as described by Hori, was studied in a controlled fashion. Although ischemic changes were noted in our hands, the model failed to produced findings consistent with avascular necrosis.