Effect of volume variations on osteogenic capabilities of autogenous cancellous bone graft in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the osteogenic effect of differing volumes of autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACBG) placed into partial cortical defects of the ulna.

ANIMALS

15 healthy, mature Beagles.

PROCEDURE

Weekly radiographic views of defects were obtained over 8 weeks and were analyzed for bone density by use of radiographic optical densitometry. Histologic sections were obtained 8 weeks after surgery and were planimetrically evaluated for area of total, lamellar, and woven bone.

RESULTS

Defects receiving 0.3 and 0.75 g of ACBG had rapid initial bone production, and dogs receiving 0.3 g of ACBG had faster bone ingrowth than did those receiving 0.1 g of ACBG or controls. Defects receiving 0.75 g of ACBG had a rate of bony ingrowth equal to 0.3 g of ACBG. There was no difference in the histomorphometric area fractions of total, lamellar, or woven bone between defects treated with 0.1 or 0.75 g of ACBG, and between grafted or control defects, 8 weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Overfilling a cortical defect with ACBG does not enhance early osteogenesis within the defect, and underfilling will delay the onset of osteogenesis within the defect.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A volume of ACBG sufficient only to fill a cortical defect is required to obtain a clinical osteogenic effect from the graft.