Autoclaved partially decalcified bone as osteogenic substances--an experimental study

A large osteoperiosteal gap was created in rabbit's ulna. A total of 18 allogenic decalbone grafts in left ulnar gap and 20 autoclaved allogenic decalbone grafts on right ulnar gaps were implanted. Five gaps were left unbridged to serve as controls. The results were assessed by clinical, radiological, macroscopic, histological and tetracycline fluorescent studies. It is observed that whereas the decalbone can successfully bridge a large gap in a vast majority of cases; the standard autoclaving of decalbone denatures its proteins which melt and cover the outer surface. The union, incorporation and remodelling of autoclaved decalbone grafts are slower as compared to that with unautoclaved decalbone.