Angiogenesis and osteogenesis of non-vascularised autogenous bone graft with arterial pedicle implantation.

This study aims to investigate the effect of arterial pedicle implantation on angiogenesis and osteogenesis of autogenous bone graft. In this study, 36 New Zealand white rabbits were evaluated, in which free radial bone grafts without periosteum were harvested and implanted into the masseter muscles. In group 1, on the one side, the external maxillary artery pedicle was passed through the bone marrow cavity. In group 2, on the other hand, as control, no arterial pedicle was implanted. Microvessel density was assessed by India ink perfusion and integrated optical density of tetracycline fluorescence labelling was used to evaluate angiogenesis and new bone formation at 3 days and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The bone grafts were found to be re-vascularised at 3 days postoperatively in group 1, and at 2 weeks in group 2. At 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively, the microvessel densities of group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2. At 4 weeks postoperatively, angiogenesis of group 1 reached a peak. The tetracycline fluorescence labelling integrated optical densities of group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2 from 2 to 6 weeks postoperatively. Implantation of arterial pedicle into non-vascularised autogenous bone graft enhances angiogenesis, and increased angiogenesis enhances osteogenesis. (c) 2008 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.