Intraosseous infusions: effects on the immature physis--an experimental model in rabbits

Intraosseous infusions are becoming more popular in critical care and emergency room settings in pediatric patients. Spinal needles are introduced in metaphyseal bone to establish intravenous (i.v.) access when standard i.v. routes are not accessible. An experimental rabbit model was constructed to simulate intraosseous infusion in human infants to determine effects on the physis and growth rate of the infused bone. Twenty immature rabbits were infused with saline, bicarbonate, or dopamine solutions. Rabbits were killed and tibias harvested at 24 h and 3 weeks, and gross and histologic sections were examined. No growth disturbance occurred in any of the infused tibias. Gross and microscopic changes were confined to metaphyseal bone and had completely resolved after 3 weeks. There was no evidence of physeal injury.