Microstructural and microvascular changes durirg the healing process of a mandibular defect packed with a secondary living free bone graft

Abstract

I investigated microstructural and microvascular changes in a vascular bundle transplanted into the tibia of a rabbit (Group 1) and during the healing process of a mandibular defect in the same animal packed with the secondary living free bone graft from the tibia (Group 2). In Group 1 the transplanted vascular bundles communicated with the pre-existing medullary vessels via the newly-formed capillaries, three weeks after transplantation. In Group 2 establishment of circulation in the pre-existing vessels of the donor was observed five days after transplantation and the donor material was completely fused with the mandible at four weeks. The secondary living free bone graft seems clinically effective for mandibular defects.