Reconstruction of mandibular continuity defects in dogs using poly (L-lactide) mesh and autogenic particulate cancellous bone and marrow: preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the reconstruction of continuity defects in the canine mandible using a poly [L-lactide] (PLLA) mesh tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM).


METHODS
Eight adult dogs were divided into two groups of four dogs each. In group A, each dog had a tray fixed with stainless steel wires on each side of the mandibular stumps with the concave surface of the tray attached to the inferior border of the mandible (U-fixation). In group B, the concave surface was attached to the superior border (inverted U-fixation). Each tray was filled with PCBM from the ilium. After the operation, the dogs were radiographed, and specimens were examined histologically at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals.


RESULTS
All of group A showed good clinical healing and the continuity of the mandibular bone was regained within 3 months postoperatively. However, fibrous tissue had invaded through the area above the tray, resulting in a poorly shaped alveolar ridges. In group B, the dogs showed good bony regeneration with well-shaped alveolar ridges. However, two animals in this group had partial exposure of the PLLA mesh tray into the oral cavity.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that a combination of the PLLA mesh and PCBM grafts might be a useful technique for functional reconstruction of the jaw bone, specifically using method A (U-fixation) as a technique to reconstruct continuity defects of the mandible, and method B (inverted, U-fixation) as a promising method for alveolar reconstruction to make wearing dentures possible.
Kinoshita
Y
Y
Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan.
Kobayashi
M
M
Hidaka
T
T
Ikada
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004285:Dogs; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D013526:Surgical Mesh
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)