Implantation of a muscle flap in a free bone graft to promote revascularization

Summary

In experiments on rats, muscle flaps were implanted into free bone grafts and the effect of this procedure on the revascularization of the grafts determined. Tail vertebrae served as the bone grafts. A pedicled muscle fascicle was introduced into a hole drilled through the vertebra. The processes developing in the bone graft were the same in principle as those seen with vascular implants. Capillary proliferation starting from the implanted muscle fascicle finally communicated with the vessels of the graft, greatly contributing to its revascularization. In the bone graft simultaneous absorption and deposition of bone tissue could be observed. Six months after the operation, new bone tissue had replaced the eroded parts of the graft. Implantation of a muscle flap will encourage revascularization of free bone grafts in the same way as implantation of a vascular bundle.