Effects of nerve growth factor on craniofacial onlay bone graft survival: preliminary findings

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF), which had previously demonstrated bone formation around mandibular nerve regenerates, on resorption of onlay bone grafts to the rabbit skull. Iliac grafts were onlayed on the parietal bone bilaterally and immobilized with wire ligatures in 15 animals. NGF and a control solution were introduced into the grafts through subcutaneous osmotic pumps. After 60 days, graft survival was compared by weights, histology, and fluorochrome labels. NGF-treated grafts were characterized by an average of 88.4% weight retention, preservation of the outer cortical plate with firm fixation to the underlying calvarium, and fluorescent labels localized to the inner cortex. Conversely, control grafts had an average weight retention of 42.8% (p < 0.01), nearly complete outer cortical plate loss with increased mobility of the residual inner cortex, and a lack of fluorescence in any part of the grafts. Despite the incongruous name, NGF exhibited a beneficial effect on onlay bone graft volume maintenance in this study. Although the mechanism and the long-term effects are unknown, inhibition of graft resorption rather than enhancement of bone formation is suggested.