title: Scanning electron microscopic study of primary fracture healing.
abstract: Scanning electron microscopy was used to study primary bone healing. This technique, essential for a three-dimensional description, has provided excellent visualization and revealed new aspects of the micromorphology of primary bone healing. Calcifying collagen bundles were responsible for the first mechanical stability, bone healing took place later in fracture vaults generated by compressed fracture fragments which were partially nonvital. A direct bridging of the fracture fragments by sprouting osteons was not observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Göttingen.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltfang
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Merten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Luhr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000473:pathology