Comparison of Vascularized Osteoperiosteal Femur Flaps and Nonvascularized Femur Grafts for Reconstruction of Mandibular Defects: An Experimental Study
Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare the vascularized osteoperiosteal femur flaps (VFFs) and the nonvascularized femur grafts (NVFGs) for reconstruction of the mandibular defects of pigs.
Materials and Methods
Eight adult domestic pigs were used. The defects created in the mandibular angle were reconstructed with VFFs in 4 pigs (group 1) and NVFGs in the other 4 pigs (group 2). All the pigs were killed after 3 months of healing. Undecalcified and decalcified sections were prepared for histomorphometric analysis and histologic examination. Radiodensitometric absorptiometry was used to assess the differences in bone mineral density between the 2 groups.
Results
The bone volume to the total measured volume, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number were significantly greater in the VFF group than in the NVFG group (P < .05). However, the trabecular separation was significantly lower in the VFF group than the NVFG group (P = .029). Although the VFF group had a greater bone mineral density value than the NVFG group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .057). In histologic examination, the viability of bone in the VFF group, enchondral bone healing, and lamellar bone formation in the NVFG group were apparent.
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that NVFGs have a greater bone resorption rate than do VFFs. Furthermore, the histomorphometric results imply that reconstruction of the mandibular defects with vascularized osteoperiosteal femur flaps will provide greater strength.
⁎Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
†Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, General Hospital Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
‡Private Practice, Department of Trauma Surgery, General Hospital Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
§Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
¶Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
∥Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
#Professor, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
⁎⁎Resident, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Benlidayi: Cukurova Universitesi Dis Hekimligi Fakultesi, Agiz Dis Cene Hastaliklari ve Cerrahisi Anabilim Dali, 01330 Balcali, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey
This study was supported by the Austrian Association for Cleft Lip, Palate and Alveolus and Craniofacial Deformities Award 2006. We would like to thank Synthes Austria for additional financial support.
ABSTRACT