A comparison of grafting materials in experimental bone grafts

The abilities of seven different materials to stimulate healing of experimental defects in the ulna and scapula of the adolescent rabbit were compared. The results were evaluated radiographically and with vital fluorescent stain histology. By average radiographic score (ARS), defects implanted with autogenous iliac crest (ARS = 2.79) did significantly better (P<.01) than controls with nothing implanted (ARS = 2.00). Models implanted with hydroxyapatite (ARS = 1.75), collagen (ARS = 1.62), or frozen lyophilized cortical allograft (ARS = 2.21) were not significantly different (P>.05) from the control. Killing of graft cells with 5000 rads of cobalt-60 radiation did not significantly (P>.05) change the score for autogenous iliac crest (ARS = 2.56). The performance of demineralized allograft matrix (ARG = 2.84) was virtually the same as autogenous crest. Indexing terms: Demineralized bone, hydroxyapatite, alloimplant, osteogenesis.