Osteogenetic properties of reimplanted decalcified and undecalcified autologous bone in the rabbit radius

In facial reconstructive surgery extensive studies have been performed to find substitutes to autologous vital bone as grafting material. Decalcified homologous compact bone has been found to possess a capacity of inducing new bone formation in rabbits whereas the application in man has not been successful thus far. In order to investigate the osteogenetic properties in autologous devitalized bone, the difference in bone forming capacity between decalcified and undecalcified devitalized autologous bone was studied. In rabbits, from the radius of each foreleg a piece of bone was resected, rinsed from periosteum and marrow whereupon one was decalcified in 0.6 N HCl. Both pieces were reimplanted in the radial defects 3 days later. The healing process was examined by radiography, light- and fluorescence microscopy. Decalcification seems to accelerate the osteogenetic process when bone is reimplanted to a defect in the rabbit radius.