Reliable critical sized defect rodent model for cleft palate research

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Animal Models

Background:

• Effective animal models are crucial for evaluating bone grafting therapies in cleft palate repair.
• Existing rodent models for cleft palate have limitations impacting their utility in research.
• This study aimed to improve existing models for enhanced bone grafting studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare and modify mid-palate cleft (MPC) and alveolar cleft (AC) models in rats.
• To determine the most reliable and reproducible animal model for bone grafting research in cleft palate surgery.
• To optimize defect dimensions and surgical techniques for enhanced preclinical bone grafting studies.

Main Methods:

• Initial MPC and AC models were assessed in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, noting limitations and injuries to adjacent structures.
• Maxillary dimensions were compared between SD and Wistar rats, followed by virtual planning to modify defect sizes.
• Modified MPC (7 × 2.5 × 1 mm³) and AC (5 × 2.5 × 1 mm³) defects were created in Wistar rats, with healing assessed via micro-computed tomography and histology.

Main Results:

• Maxillary dimensions showed no significant differences between SD and Wistar rat strains.
• Virtual planning improved surgical outcomes and defect creation.
• Bone healing was observed at the defect margins, with a central void confirming the critical-sized nature of the modified defects.

Conclusions:

• The modifications developed for the MPC and AC models resulted in clinically relevant and reproducible defects.
• These refined models provide a more reliable platform for future bone grafting research in cleft palate surgery.
• The study highlights the importance of precise defect engineering in animal models for translational research.