Healing at the Interface Between Autologous Block Bone Grafts and Recipient Sites Using n-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate Adhesive as Fixation: Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits
The aim of the present split-mouth (split-plot) study was to describe the sequential healing in the interface between autologous bone grafts and recipient parent bone, fixed using an n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive with or without an additional titanium fixation screw. Bone grafts were collected from the calvaria and fixed to the lateral aspect of the mandible in 24 rabbits. The cortical layers of the recipient sites were perforated, and the grafts were randomly fixed using an n-butyl-2-cyanocrylate adhesive, either alone or in conjunction with a 1.5 mm × 6.0 mm titanium fixation screw. The animals were sacrificed after 3, 7, 20, and 40 days, and histomorphometric evaluations of the interface between graft and parent bone were performed. Only 2 of 6 grafts in each group were partially incorporated to the parent bone after 40 days of healing. The remaining grafts were separated from the parent bone by adhesive and connective tissue. It was concluded that the use of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate as fixation of an autologous bone graft to the lateral aspect of the mandible was able to maintain the fixation over time but did not incorporate the graft to the recipient sites. Use of fixation screws did not improve the healing.
Study diagram, variables measured, and statistical test.
(a) Clinical view of the preparation of the osteotomies using a stent. (b) Adhesive applied in the periphery of the graft. (c) Graft in position in the cyan group. (d) Graft in position in the cyan-screw group.
Figure 3. Linear measurements (red lines) at the peripheral edge of the graft and in the region adjacent to the center of the graft. Internal, osteotomy, and external zones evaluated morphometrically (yellow squares). (a) Cyan group. (b) Cyan-screw group. Figure 4. Cyan sites at the (a) 3-day, (b) 7-day, (c) 20-day, and (d) 40-day healing periods. Toluidine blue stain; images originally merged at magnification ×20. Figure 5. Cyan-screw sites at the (a) 3-day, (b) 7-day, (c) 20-day, and (d) 40-day healing periods. Toluidine blue stain; images originally captured and merged at magnification ×20.
Figure 6. Bone was found in all zones, including the peripheral zones, where it was in close contact with the periosteum and, in some case, was integrating the graft to the parent bone (yellow arrows). Toluidine blue stain; image originally captured and merged at magnification ×40. Figure 7. Few grafts were partially in contact with the recipient bed in both groups. Toluidine blue stain; image originally captured and merged at magnification ×100. Figure 8. Most grafts were separated from the parent bone by adhesive residues. Toluidine blue stain; image originally captured and merged at magnification ×40.
Connective tissue surrounding parts of the graft from the parent bone (a) as well from bridges of newly formed bone (b). Toluidine blue stain; (a) original magnification ×100, (b) original magnification ×40, (c) originally captured and merged at magnification ×100.
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