THE EFFECTS OF BONE GRAFTING ON CALVARIAL HEALING IN A RAT MODEL

It remains unknown whether bone grafting influences dural osteogenesis following cranial reconstruction. The purpose o f this study is to 1) develop a model to study non-vascularized and vascularized calvarial grafts; and 2) compare effects o f bone graft vascularity on calvarial healing. Thirty-six rats were divided into Control and Experimental (EXP) groups. Parietal defects were left empty on one side. Contralateral defects in Control, EXP1, and EXP2 were partially filled with native parietal bone (sham), non-vascularized, and vascularized bone grafts, respectively. Healing parameters were measured from serial micro-CT scans. Greater bone production resulted in Control and EXP2 versus EXP1 at later stages. Healing progressed through bone islands within Control and EXP2 versus marginal healing in EXP1. An animal model has been established to study non-vascularized and vascularized calvarial bone grafts. Non-vascularized bone grafts may inhibit dural osteogenesis. Greater understanding o f vascular mechanisms underlying calvarial healing may have implications for cranial reconstruction.

Name thesis:degree_name

M Sc

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Medical Biophysics

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Reid, Stephanie M.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Holdsworth, David W.

• Calvarial defect
• bone healing
• bone graft
• non-vascularized
• vascularized.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/18575

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/18575