Prefabrication of periosteal graft alone or with oxidised cellulose: an experimental study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of prefabrication of periosteal grafts, alone or with oxidised cellulose (surgicel), which was an osteoinductive material using femoral vasculature. Fifteen white New Zealand rabbits were used in both femoral regions (30 grafts), and randomly divided into three groups including five rabbits (10 grafts): the control group, the periosteal graft group, and the periosteal graft+surgicel group. A periosteal graft, 30 x 40 mm in size, was obtained from the calvarium of each rabbit. The periosteal graft taken was divided into two equal parts, 20 x 30 mm. All these periosteal grafts were sutured in the shape of tube. In all rabbits, femoral vasculature and periosteal tube was Included in a silicone tube. Additionally, in the control group, femoral vasculature was cut above and below the silicone tube, whereas in the periosteal graft+surgicel group, surgicel was added to the periosteal graft. The results were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically in the second (two rabbits for each group - 4 grafts) and fourth week (3 rabbits for each group - 6 grafts). In the second week, In all three groups, while no osteoid tissue that indicated osteogenesis developed, it was seen that inflammation and increased vascularity occurred. Surgicel was observed to be absorbed in the periosteal graft+surgicel group. In the fourth week, fibrotic tissue was developed whereas inflammatory tissue disappeared; any osteoid tissue or lamellar bone was not accompanied in all three groups. In conclusion, we do not believe that periosteum was able to survive as a graft, and we found that neovascularization occurred too slowly to preserve the bone forming qualities of the periosteum. We suggested that it could not be prefabricated, being taken away from its donor site although surgicel was used as a stimulating material.