Electrical stimulation of osteogenesis in delayed union of the rabbit fibula.

The present paper describes an experimental model where union was delayed in an osteotomy gap of the rabbit fibula by means of a silicone rubber spacer during 48 days. After the silicone spacer had been removed, electrical transistor regulated direct current of 20 microampères delivered through stainless steel electrodes was used to stimulate osteogenesis on the right side during 62 days. On the left side a sham operation inserting stainless steel electrodes without current was performed. In one out of six animals overbridging callus was received on the stimulated side. In the rest of the animals a high frequency of synostoses between the fibular ends and the tibia was found. There was no significant difference in synostosis formation between the right and the left side. No adverse effect of the current could be detected histologically.