title: [The establishment of an animal model of bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in rabbits].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish an animal model of bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 adult male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly, 4 in each group. Osteotomy was performed on mandible bilaterally before the first premolar. Bone stumps were repositioned and fixed with distractors. After 7 days of latency period, distraction was initiated at a rate of 1mm/d for 7 days. Then distractors were held in place for days. Animals were killed at different time points, and specimens were taken for X-ray and histology examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibles were lengthened successfully. The distraction gaps were filled with regenerated bone tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method in this study is practicable and repeatable which could be used to establish an animal model of mandibular distraction osteogenesis in rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
authors.forename: Feng-cai
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shao-hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shan-zhen
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy; D011817:Rabbits