title: [Quantitative histomorphometric observation of distraction osteogenesis during mandibular lengthening].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the regenerating bone during mandibular distraction osteogenesis by bone histomorphometry combining tetracycline bone labeling fluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Osteotomy was performed on bilateral mandibles in ten goats. A custom-made distractor was applied to lengthen the mandible at a rate of 1 mm/d (0.5 mm/12 hrs) for ten days. Every two animals were sacrificed at 10 d, 15 d, 25 d, 35 d and 45 d postoperatively. Two additional goats were used as normal control. The bony specimens were collected and prepared for bone histomorphometry and tetracycline bone labeling fluorescence microscopy with analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 10 days subgroup to 45 days subgroup, bone volume fraction,trabecular thickness,trabecular number and volume density were gradually increased (P<0.05), while trabecular separation distance and surface density were gradually decreased (P<0.05). Between 15 days subgroup and 45 days subgroup,the index of osteoblast was significantly higher than normal control (P<0.05) and index of osteoclast was increased gradually (P<0.05). Compared with normal control, bone formation rate was accelerated by thousand times between 15 days subgroup and 45 days subgroup (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the process of mandibular distraction osteogenesis, the bone formation is active, the newly formed bone trabecula gradually become mature, and the remodeling activities of regenerated bone are enhanced gradually. The rate of bone formation within distraction period is faster than consolidation period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Song-song
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Ji-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Dang-zhang
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bin-bin
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Ying
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D006041:Goats; D008334:Mandible; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D010027:Osteotomy