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Free and microvascular bone grafting in the irradiated dog mandible

Journal Article · · J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg.; (United States)
Microvascular and free rib grafts were placed in 4.5 cm defects in an edentate mandibular body defect 18 to 28 days after completion of 50 Gy of irradiation from a /sup 60/Co source. The animals were sacrificed from two to forty weeks postoperatively and evaluated clinically, radiographically, and histologically. There was a marked difference in the alveolar mucosal viability with the two grafts. Mucosal dehiscence was not observed over any of the microvascular grafts, but was present in seven-eighths of the free grafts. Union of the microvascular bone graft to the host bone occurred within six weeks. In contrast, after six weeks the free graft was sequestered in all the animals. An unexpected finding with both types of graft was the marked subperiosteal bone formation. This bone appeared to be derived from the host bed, stabilizing and bridging the defects bilaterally. The results suggest that radiated periosteum may play an important role in osteogenesis.
Research Organization:
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
OSTI ID:
6777119
Journal Information:
J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN JOMSD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English