title: Reconstruction of canine mandibular bone defects using a bone transport reconstruction plate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reconstruction of mandibular segmental bone defects is a challenging task. This study tests a new device used for reconstructing mandibular defects based on the principle of bone transport distraction osteogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen beagle dogs were divided into control and experimental groups. In all animals, a 3-cm defect was created on one side of the mandible. In 8 control animals, the defect was stabilized with a reconstruction plate without further reconstruction and the animals were killed 2 to 3 months after surgery. The remaining 5 animals were reconstructed with a bone transport reconstruction plate, comprising a reconstruction plate with attached intraoral transport unit, and were killed after 1 month of consolidation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical evaluation, cone-beam CT densitometry, three-dimensional histomorphometry, and docking site histology revealed significant new bone formation within the defect in the distracted group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physical dimensions and architectural parameters of the new bone were comparable to the contralateral normal bone. Bone union at the docking site remains a problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Medical College of Georgia Dental School, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Mohammed E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Elsalanty
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zakhary
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akeel
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mulone
authors.forename: Gilbert R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Triplett
authors.forename: Lynne A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Opperman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001860:Bone Plates; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008338:Mandibular Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011336:Probability; D011897:Random Allocation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013718:Tensile Strength; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed