Growth potential in suture bone inlay grafts: a comparison of vascularized and free calvarial bone grafts

The present study investigates transsutural growth in vascularized and free calvarial bone grafts and notes the effects of such growth on craniofacial development. The temporalis myoosseous flap served as a model of vascularized graft. In ten 8-week-old dogs, a standardized skeletal defect, including a segment of the zygomatico-maxillary suture, was created. The defect was reconstructed with a vascularized graft in half the animals and a corresponding free graft in the remaining animals. Growth was assessed by means of serial cephalometric radiography and direct osteometry. Vascularized bone grafts demonstrated persistent transsutural growth following transplantation. Growth at the recipient site was preserved, resulting in less restriction of vertical maxillary development.