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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur
Published on: October 23, 2017
Sensory Nerves Affect Bone Regeneration in Rabbit Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis
Jian Cao1,2,3, Shijian Zhang4,2, Anand Gupta5
1Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Objectives: To investigate the effects of inferior alveolar nerve on new bone formation in rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Methods: 20 New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral distraction osteogenesis with a rate of 1 mm/day. The inferior alveolar nerve of one side was resected under the surgical microscope, with the inferior alveolar vascular intact. The contralateral side received sham operation. The rabbits were sacrificed at consolidation time of 28 days. The regenerate callus underwent radiograph examination, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, haematoxylin and eosin staining and histomorphometric analysis. A paired t-test was performed using SPSS 16.0 software package. Results: The BMD of the new bone in the distraction gap on the denervation side of mandibular was significantly lower (P<0.05) than on the control side. The histological investigation showed that the bone trabeculae were dis-arrayed containing dispersed cartilage cells on the denervation side, whereas the bone trabeculae were orderly with rich blood vessels and no cartilage cell on the control side. Both new bone volume and the thickness of new trabeculae were significantly lower on the denervation side than on the control side (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The loss of the sensory nerves could result in a decrease of the new bone quality during the mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
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