Ultrasonic device in bone cutting. A histological and scanning electron microscopical study.

The immediate and the long-term effects on bone produced by an ultrasonic cutting device and an oscillating saw were compared histologically and by scanning electron microscopy. The long bones and scapulas of rabbits were used as experimental material. By scanning electron microscopy the osteotomy surface produced by the ultrasonic saw was observed to be rougher than that produced by oscillating saw, but there were no microfractures. Histologically the early regeneration of the bone tissue was delayed to some degree after ultrasonic cutting, but the regeneration process as a whole was found to be the same after cutting with either of the saws.