The effect of the thickness of the cortical bone on bone formation by osteoperiosteal grafts. A comparative study employing routine histological stains and triple fluorochrome labelling.

The bone-forming capacity of free periosteum was compared with that of 100 micrometers thick osteoperiosteum and periosteum with full thickness cortex taken from the tibia of 6-week-old rabbits. Altogether 78 rabbits were operated on. The results revealed that the osteogenic capacity of free periosteum and 100 micrometers thick osteoperiosteum was about the same, and that osteoperiosteum with full thickness cortex was inferior in this regard.