The Effect of Decortication for Periosteal Expansion Osteogenesis Using Shape Memory Alloy Mesh Device

BackgroundIn conventional bone grafting technique, decortication procedure enhances the healing process and bone regeneration to reach the grafted site more readily. PurposeThis study evaluates to improve periosteal expansion osteogenesis (PEO) using a shape memory alloy mesh (SMA) device with decortication in a rabbit model. Materials and MethodsThe SMA device was inserted under the periosteum at the forehead and pushed, bent, and attached to the bone surface and fixed with a titanium screw. Twelve rabbits were divided into two groups: PEO without decortication (P group) and with decortication (D group). After 2 weeks, the screw was removed, and the mesh was activated by its own elasticity. Rabbits were sacrificed 5 (P1/D1) and 8 (P2/D2) weeks after operation and histologically and radiographically evaluated. ResultsThe mean activation height was 2.90.5mm. The ratio of new bone volume in the elevated volume was 17.6% in P1, 59.8% in D1 33.4% in P2, and 65.1% in D2. D group had a statistically higher volume of new bone than P group during each period (p<.05). ConclusionPEO with decortication appears to be a promising clinical alternative for bone augmentation and introduces the new concept of dynamic graft and guided bone regeneration (GBR).