Palatal periosteal response to surgical trauma.

Investigation of the response to surgical procedures on periosteum from different skeletal sites indicates differences in potential for bony repair. The response of palatal periosteum to surgical trauma was investigated following two procedures in 12 young dogs. Results were seen histologically and by fluorescence of tetracycline and CDAF bone labels. Palatal periosteum elevated and replaced showed evidence of a proliferative cellular response of the inner periosteal layer and renewed osteogenic activity on the third day postoperatively. The immediate posttrauma period was characterized by the formation of an expanded medullary zone (reactive medullary zone), after which osteogenesis appeared to return to normal. Repair bone in the resection area was not related primarily to the periosteal flap but always appeared at and extended at and extended from the edges of the resection cavity. In; this model, palatal periosteal elevation interrupted osteogenesis for 2 or 3 days and stimulated an intense cellular proliferation. Free palatal periosteum overlying a resection pocket was not seen to spontaneously for bone within a 3-week period.