Abstract
We studied the etiology of postoperative hypertrophy of vascularized bone grafts in a murine experimental model. Syngeneic grafting of revascularized ulna to rat tibia was performed with (group 1) or without (group 2) mechanical loading. The effect of simple overloading on intact bone was studied by segmental resection of the radius (group 3). Bone dynamics were examined by histomorphological measurements. Significant hypertrophy was observed in the early postoperative period in both groups 1 and group 2. After the initial phase, bone growth continued and extensive remodeling was observed in group 1, while marked bone resorption was observed in group 2. Adaptive remodeling was also observed in group 3 after surgery, but was slower than that in groups 1 and 2. Early hypertrophy of vascularized grafts did not correspond to mechanical loading. These results suggest that mechanical loading is the principal factor responsible for remodeling in vascularized bone grafts for their adaptation to a new environment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aro H, Eerola E, Aho AJ. Development of nonumions in the rat fibula after removal of periosteal neural mechanoreceptors. Clin Orthop 1985;199:292–9.
Chamay A, Tschantz P. Mechanical influences in bone remodeling. Experimental research on Wolff's law. J Biomech 1972;5:173–80.
De Boer HH, Wood MB. Bone changes in the vascularized fibular graft. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1989;71:374–8.
Enneking WF, Mindell ER. Observations on massive retrieved human allografts. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1991;73:1123–42.
Frost HM. The pathomechanics of osteoporoses. Clin Orthop 1985;200:198–225.
Goodship AE, Lanyon LE, McFie H. Functional adaptation of bone to increased stress. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1979;61:539–46.
Goshima J. The effect of ischemia on bone tissue. Bone histomorphometrical analysis (in Japanese). J Nara Med Assoc 1986;37:325–57.
Malizos KN, Nunley JA, Goldner RD et al. Free vascularized fibula in traumatic long bone defects and in limb salvaging following tumor resection: Comparative study. Microsurgery 1993; 14:368–74.
Mizumoto S, Tamai S, Goshima J, et al. Experimental study of vascularized tibiofibula graft in inbred rats: A preliminary report. J Reconstr Microsurg 1986;3:1–9.
Mizumoto S. Experimental study on vascularized bone graft in rats With special emphasis on the hypertrophy of grafted bone (in Japanese). J Nara Med Assoc 1987;38:667–706.
Mizumoto S, Tamai S, Yajima H, et al. Vascularized ulna graft in inbred rats (in Japanese). J Jpn S R M 1988;1:6–15.
Sempuku, T, Tamai S, Mizumoto S et al. Vascularized tail bone grafts in rats. Plast Reconstr Surg 1993;91:502–10.
Tamai S, Sakamoto H, Fukui A, et al. Vascularized fibula graft for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of long bone. A clinical extension of microvascular techniques (in Japanese). Orthop Surg Traumatol 1983;26:601–12.
Taylor GI. The current status of free vascularized bone grafts. Clin Plast Surg 1983;10:185–209.
Taylor GI, Miller GDH, Ham FJ. The free vascularized bone graft. Plast Reconstr Surg 1975;55:533–44.
Uhthoff HK, Jaworski ZFG. Bone loss in response to long-term immobilisation. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1978;60:420–9.
Weiland AJ, Phillips TW, Randolph MA. Bone grafts: A radiologic, histologic, and biomechanical model comparing autografts, allografts, and free vascularized bone grafts. Plast Reconstr Surg 1984;74:368–79.
Wolff J. Das Gesets der Transformation der Knochen. Berlin: Verlag von August Hirschward, 1892.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Yamaoka, N., Tamai, S. & Mizumoto, S. Experimental study of vascularized bone grafts in rat: Effect of mechanical loading on bone dynamics. J Orthop Sci 2, 239–247 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489044
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489044