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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Bone augmentation for cancellous bone- development of a new animal model
Karina Klein1, Enrico Zamparo, Peter W Kronen
1Musculoskeletal Research Unit (MSRU), Equine Department, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich CH-8057, Switzerland. kklein@vetclinics.uzh.ch
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|July 4, 2013
Summary
A new sheep model using standardized femoral and tibia augmentation sites enables reproducible in vivo testing of bone biomaterials. This model also mimics human cardiovascular complications seen in vertebroplasty procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Animal Models
Background:
- Developing reproducible animal models is crucial for evaluating novel biodegradable and osteoinductive biomaterials for bone augmentation.
- Sheep models are commonly used for spinal studies due to similar bone metabolism, but anatomical differences complicate surgical approaches.
- A standardized femoral and tibia augmentation site in sheep was developed to overcome these limitations for bone augmentation research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a safe and adequate animal model for bone augmentation using sheep.
- To establish a standardized surgical approach for biomaterial injection in sheep femurs and tibias.
- To assess the suitability of this model for testing bone augmentation materials and for vertebroplasty-related studies.
Main Methods:
- A custom-made c-shaped aiming device was used for reproducible drilling and injection into the cancellous bone of the distal femur and proximal tibia.
- Fluoroscopy ensured precise needle positioning within the intertrabecular space.
- Bone cylinders were harvested using a specialized diamond-coated core drill for micro-CT analysis, histomorphometry, histology, and fluorescence evaluation.
Main Results:
- The aiming device facilitated reproducible and standardized injections in 63 sheep.
- Cardiovascular complications occurred in four sheep, with post-operative pulmonary embolism detected via computed tomography.
- The harvesting and evaluation methods ensured standardized sample analysis.
Conclusions:
- The developed experimental animal model is suitable for testing the efficacy of new bone augmentation biomaterials.
- The model effectively replicates cardiovascular changes observed in human vertebroplasty procedures, making it valuable for related research.
