[Subperiosteal implantation of block coral on the rabbit cavarial bone]

The aim of this study was to evaluate osteoconductive effect of coral implanted on surface of the cortical bone. The 2 mm thick block corals were implanted on the surface of one side of rabbits cavarial bone, the another side were used as blank control. The specimen was examined by light microscopy, histometry and scanning electron microscopy at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation respectively. The results show that the new bone growth into the pore of the coral at 2 weeks after implantation. The coral was progressively absorbed and replaced by new bone. Up to 12 weeks, most of the coral was absorbed and newly formed bone had been remodeled. The reconstructed height of new bone in coral group was significantly higher than that of blank control and lower than the thickness of block coral. The study demonstrated good osteoconductive property of coral implanted on surface of cortical bone.