A convenient animal model for testing bone substitute materials.

There is consijerable interest in developing substitute materials for bone to perform the functions of autogenous bone grafts. However, a persistent problem is finding a suitable animal model in which to test the biodegradable implants. This paper reviews the requirements of an ideal animal model for this purpose and discusses the shortcomings of existing procedures. A technique is described that uses the cranial vault of the rabbit and allows accurate radiologic and histologic assessment of implant resorption and ingrowth of new bone.