Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of mandibular fractures: an experimental study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Pulsed ultrasonic waves have been shown to accelerate fracture healing of the long bones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) on healing of mandibular fractures.


METHODS
Thirty skeletally mature male New Zealand rabbits were used. Animals underwent unilateral mandibular osteotomy. The bone segments were repositioned and fixed with miniplates and miniscrews. Half of the animals received daily ultrasound treatment, 20 min/day, for 20 days. Ultrasound signals consisted of a 1.5-MHz pressure wave administered in pulses of 200 microsec with an average temporal and spatial intensity of 30 mW/cm2. Animals in the control group received sham application. All of the animals were killed on postoperative day 22. Three-point bending test, digital radiodensitometric analysis, and histologic and histomorphometric examinations were performed on the harvested hemimandibles. The data were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Biomechanical tests revealed significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the healing bone in the LIPU-treated group. This was supported by histologic and radiologic findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study suggest that LIPU improves the bone healing of mandibular fractures in rabbits.
Erdogan
Ozgür
O
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. oerdogan@cu.edu.tr
Esen
Emin
E
Ustün
Yakup
Y
Kürkçü
Mehmet
M
Akova
Tolga
T
Gönlüşen
Gülfiliz
G
Uysal
Hakan
H
Cevlik
Filiz
F
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D015519:Bone Density; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006244:Hardness; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*