The use of decalcified granulated homologous cortical bone matrix in the correction of diaphyseal bone defect. An experimental study in rabbits.

In order to investigate an alternative way to correct diaphysial bone defects, granulated decalcified homologous cortical bone was used as a graft. Because of the suitable anatomic arrangement, the forearm of rabbits was chosen as an experimental model of bone defect. A 2 cm long bone cylinder was removed from the diaphysis of both radii preserving the periosteum. The artificial bone defect was filled with granular decalcified bone on the right side. The left side was used as control and kept empty or filled with undecalcified granular bone. The 18 animals were sacrificed in batches, 3,6, and 9 weeks after the operation. New bone formation was followed by X-rays, routine histology and incorporation of calcein blue, xylenol orange and tetracycline. In the decalcified granular bone grafts new bone formation was already detected at the first week and 9 weeks after the graft operation there was a well developed cylindric ossicle, in 89% of the cases. In some cases a medullary canal was present. No bone formation was found neither in the empty defects nor in the ones filled with undecalcified granular bone grafts.