Objective- To evaluate the role of greater omentum incorporation of coral in healing of the long bone defect in dog model.
Design- Experimental in-vivo study.
Animals- Sixteen adult mongrel male dogs weighing 26.2±2.5 kg, free of evident infectious or parasitic illnesses were used in this study.
Procedures- The operative procedure was undertaken under general anesthesia. Radial bone was exposed via a medial approach and a 10 mm transverse bone defect was created at mid-diaphysis with an electrical bone cutting saw. For omental free graft preparation, the abdominal cavity was approached through a 3 cm ventral midline incision, then the free end of the greater omentum was located and exteriorized from the abdominal cavity. A 30x30 mm piece of the omentum was isolated and harvested. In the control group (n=4), the defect was left empty. In the omental group (n=4) the defect was filled with the harvested omentum, in the omental-coral group (n=4) the defect was filled with omentum and a segment of coral. In the coral group (n=4) a segment of coral was implanted into the defected site. Finally, the injured radial bones were fixed with plate and screw. Radiographs of each forelimb were taken postoperatively on 1^st day and at 30^th and 60^th post injury days to evaluate bone formation radiological criteria. The operated radial bones were removed on 60^th postoperative day and were histopathologically evaluated.
Results-Compared to the control groups, more advanced bone healing criteria was present in the coral, omental and omental-coral groups at radiological and histopathological evaluation at 60^th post-operative day.
Conclusion and clinical relevance- This study demonstrated favorable bone healing with the coral, omental and omental-coral in long bone defects in dog model.