Reconstruction of mandibular continuity defects in dogs using poly (l-lactide) mesh and autogenic particulate cancellous bone and marrow: Preliminary report

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 55; no. 7; pp. 718 - 723
• Main Authors: Kinoshita, Yukihiko, Kobayashi, Masaru, Hidaka, Takehiro, Ikada, Yoshito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.1997
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Bone Marrow Transplantation - instrumentation; Bone Transplantation - instrumentation; Dentistry; Dogs; Mandible - surgery; Polyesters; Surgical Mesh
• ISSN: 0278-2391; 1531-5053
• DOI: 10.1016/S0278-2391(97)90585-1

Purpose: This study evaluated the reconstruction of continuity defects in the canine mandible using a poly [L-lactide] (PLLA) mesh tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM). Materials and Methods: Eight adult dogs were divided into two groups of four dogs each. In group A, each dog had a tray fixed with stainless steel wires on each side of the mandibular stumps with the concave surface of the tray attached to the inferior border of the mandible (U-fixation). In group B, the concave surface was attached to the superior border (inverted U-fixation). Each tray was filled with PCBM from the ilium. After the operation, the dogs were radiographed, and specimens were examined histologically at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Results: All of group A showed good clinical healing and the continuity of the mandibular bone was regained within 3 months postoperatively. However, fibrous tissue had invaded through the area above the tray, resulting in a poorly shaped alveolar ridges. In group B, the dogs showed good bony regeneration with well-shaped alveolar ridges. However, two animals in this group had partial exposure of the PLLA mesh tray into the oral cavity. Conclusion: It is suggested that a combination of the PLLA mesh and PCBM grafts might be a useful technique for functional reconstruction of the jaw bone, specifically using method A (U-fixation) as a technique to reconstruct continuity defects of the mandible, and method B (inverted, U-fixation) as a promising method for alveolar reconstruction to make wearing dentures possible.