Bone healing in dogs using their own periosteum and fascia lata

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although bone defect is one of the most common orthopaedic diseases, treatment remains a challenge and an issue of debate. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is primarily accompanied by barrier membranes; however, optional membranes show some inherent flaws in clinical application. The purpose of this study was to observe the healing velocity and quality of repairing canine radius segmental defect using transferred autologous periosteum combined with fascia lata, which can provide better biological safety than other materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty adult male beagles weighing 11.45 ± 1.29 kg were used as animal models. The animals were randomly allocated into three groups, a blank control group, a fascia lata control group and a combined fascia lata and periosteum group. Standardised artificial bony defects were prepared at the radius and treated with autologous periosteum combined with fascia lata under stable external fixation. The newly formed bone-growth curve was made according to ultrasound (US) detection, and histopathologic and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) evaluations were also performed. RESULTS: Bone union was seen in most individuals from the autologous periosteum combined with fascia lata group, within an average of 14.2 weeks. Histopathologic and SEM examinations both showed the different osteogenesis state between groups. Necropsy confirmed US findings with regard to distance of bone defects and location. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that autologous periosteum combined with fascia lata is as effective as a GBR membrane, even in long tubular bone defects. With reliable biological safety, the autologous periosteum combined with fascia lata is expected to achieve increasing application in orthopaedic trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable, animal study.