Island osteoperiosteal flap vitality when isolated from basal bone by silicone interposition: an experimental study in rabbit tibia.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to confirm, through histologic evaluation, the vitality and viability of the island osteoperiosteal flap (i-flap) in a rabbit tibia model.


METHODS
In four rabbits, an osteotomy was performed on the tibial aspect of the right leg. A bone flap was raised, but the periosteal attachment was kept intact. The free-floating i-flap was separated from the rest of the bone by a silicone sheet. The rabbits were to be sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks and histologic samples examined.


RESULTS
All surgeries were accomplished successfully; however, three animals showed fractured tibiae within a few days after surgery and were sacrificed immediately after the fractures were discovered. The fourth rabbit was sacrificed at 4 weeks. Histologic specimens showed vital new bone in the i-flap area and signs of remodeling in the transition zone and the original basal bone.


CONCLUSIONS
The i-flap remained vital. This suggests potential for use in bone augmentation strategies, particularly for the alveolar split procedure.
Amir
A
Laviv
Jason
J
Ringeman
Meir
M
Debecco
Ole T
OT
Jensen
Nardy
N
Casap
D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D010521:Periosteum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits; D012828:Silicones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*
D012828:Silicones