A comparison study between periosteum and resorbable collagen membrane on iliac block bone graft resorption in the rabbit calvarium

Abstract

Background: To compare the different resorption patterns between resorbable membrane barrier and periosteum after iliac block bone grafting radiographically and histologically.

Methods: Eighteen mature male rabbits weighing from 2.0 to 2.5 kg were used. The recipient site was the rabbit skull, and autogenous iliac bone was used as the grafting material. The harvested iliac block bones were divided in the following groups: autogenous iliac block bone with preservation of the periosteum (the periosteum group), autogenous iliac block bone covered with a resorbable collagen membrane (Biomesh®, Samyang Co, Korea) after removing the periosteum (the collagen membrane group), and autogenous iliac block bones with removal of the periosteum (the control group). In each experimental group, periosteum or resorbable collagen membrane of the donor site was fixed directed to the periosteum of the recipient site. The specimens were examined macroscopically, radiographically, histologically, and histomorphometrically at every 2, 4, and 8 weeks.

Results: All groups presented excellent bone graft healing state without inflammation, dehiscence, or displacement. The radiolucency increased from mild to moderate in all groups over the experiment. The mean thickness of the upper end of the cortical iliac bone graft was statistically significantly different between the control group and the periosteum group, between the four-week and eight-week control group, and between the four- week and eight-week periosteum group (p & 0.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that both the periosteum and the resorbable collagen membrane may help to prevent soft tissue infiltration into the bone graft and to reduce bone graft resorption compared to block graft alone.

Figure 1

Photographs in the experiment. A, B. 10 mm (L) × 8 mm (W) × 4 mm (H) sized iliac block bones were harvested using an osteotome. C, D. The grafted bone was fixed with 6 mm miniscrews.

Figure 2

Photographs after fixation. A, B. The iliac block bone without periosteum was fixed with 6 mm miniscrews. C. The iliac block bone with periosteum. D. The iliac block bone was covered with membrane.

Figure 3

Radiographs of each group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after bone graft. A. Control group, B. Periosteum group, C. Membrane group.

Figure 4

Photomicrographs of control group (H & E). A. At 2 weeks, B. At 4 weeks, C. At 8 weeks after bone graft. * means 40 magnification, ** means 200 magnification.

Figure 5

Photomicrographs of periosteum group (H & E). A. At 2 weeks, B. At 4 weeks, C. At 8 weeks after bone graft. * means 40 magnification, ** means 200 magnification.

Figure 6

Photomicrographs of collagen membrane group (H & E). A. At 2 weeks, B. At 4 weeks, C. At 8 weeks after bone graft. * means 40 magnification, ** means 200 magnification.