[The effect of periosteum on the union of the autoclaved bone graft-host bone: experimental study in rabbits]

In this study, we investigated the effect of periosteum on the union of autoclaved segmental bone grafts harvested from rabbit radii and replanted to their beds with intramedullary fixation to host bone.

Segmental bone defects, 15 milimeters long, in the middle of the left radius were created in 16 adult rabbits. The resected bones were autoclaved 15 minutes at 120 °C and reimplanted and fixed with intramedullary Kirschner wires. The rats were divided into two groups; in the first group, eight rabbits' graft-host bone junctions were covered with periosteal flaps and in the second group, graft-host bone junctions were deperiostized. Plain X-rays were taken at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the operation. At the end of the 8(th) week radiological results were evaluated with modified Yang's radiological scoring system.

Radiological results revealed more callus tissue and early, better healing in the first group (mean 10.94), than in the second group (mean 6.06) at 8(th) week. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.04, <0.05).

Periosteal flaps are biologic tissues that can be easily performed and enhance the healing of graft-host junctions. The periosteal flap technique is effective on the healing of graft-host bone junctions and this technique is worth applying to structural allografts.