Tissue reaction around miniplates used for the fixation of vascularized iliac crest bone grafts

In six miniature pigs revascularized autologous iliac crest bone grafts were fixed with two 2.0 mm titanium miniplates to a defined defect in the angle of the mandible. Tissue reaction around the implants was examined histologically and histomorphometrically at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery.

According to the evaluation of fluorescence microradiography, the cortical and medullary circulation and healing processes of bone in the vicinity of the implanted material were not disturbed after 2 weeks. At 4 weeks after surgery osseous healing occurred at the mandibula/graft interface. The histomorphometric results for the calculated percentage of direct bone/screw contact at 2 weeks were 24% with the grafted bone and 53% with the mandible. Intensive bone formation was observed in all parts of the graft by 4 weeks. The results of direct bone/screw. contact at 4 weeks were 56% and 64% and at 8 weeks 75% and 77% for the grafted and the mandibular bone, respectively.

With 2.0 mm titanium miniplates used in the animal model, stable osteosynthesis and osseous healing was evident after 8 weeks of surgery. In addition, intensive remodeling of the transplanted bone without signs of creeping substitution was noted, and the bone/screw contact of the miniplate system increased with time.