The role of cortical autograft, commercial-demineralized bone matrix, calf fetal demineralized bone matrix and calf fetal growth plate powder on bone healing in rabbits

Trauma, developmental anomalies, infection, and pathological injuries can lead to defects in the bony skeleton and it is a current challenge for surgeons and investigators to restore lost tissues. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of cortical autograft, commercial-demineralized bone matrix (DBM), calf fetal demineralized bone matrix and calf fetal growth plate powder on bone healing in a rabbit model. Five round defects were created on a tibial bone with an electric drill in ten adult white New Zealand rabbits. One of the defects was left empty as a control group but the other defects were filled with different biomaterials. Radiographs of each hind limb were taken postoperatively on the Ist day and at the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks post injury, to evaluate the bone healing criteria of the defect. The operated tibial bones were removed on the 42nd postoperative day and evaluated for histopathology criteria. Based on the radiology and histopathology findings of the present study, autografts, commercial-demineralized bone matrix, calf fetal demineralized bone matrix and calf fetal growth plate groups demonstrated superior osteogenic potential in healing of the tibial bone defects in the rabbit model. However, the control group was inferior to the autograft, commercial-DBM, calf fetal DBM and calf fetal growth plate powder groups at this stage.