Xenogenic demineralized bone matrix and fresh autogenous cortical bone effects on experimental bone healing: radiological, histopathological and biomechanical evaluation

BACKGROUND: Bone grafting is used to enhance healing in osteotomies, arthrodesis, and multifragmentary fractures and to replace bony loss resulting from neoplasia or cysts. They are source of osteoprogenitor cells and induce bone formation and provide mechanical support for vascular and bone ingrowth. Autografts are used commonly but quantity of harvested bone is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate autograft and new xenogenic bovine demineralized bone matrix (DBM) effects on bone healing process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male White New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. In group I (n = 10) the defect was filled by xenogenic DBM and in autograft group the defect was filled by fresh autogenous cortical graft and fixed by cercelage wire. Radiological, histopathological and biomechanical evaluations were performed blindly and results scored and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Statistical tests did not reveal any significant differences between two groups on the 14th postoperative day radiographically (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference for union on 28th and 42nd postoperative days and for remodeling at on the 56th postoperative day radiologically (P < 0.05). Statistical tests did not support any significant differences between two groups for radiological bone formation (P > 0.05). Histopathological and biomechanical evaluation revealed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that satisfactory healing occurred in rabbit radius defect filled with xenogenic bovine DBM. Complications were not identified and healing was faster, same as in cortical autogenous grafting.