Surgical technique and comparison of autologous cancellous bone grafts from various donor sites in rats

ARI Exploratory Research
L Gens, M Stoddart, K Thompson, K Mys, S Zeiter, C Constant

Background

Autologous cancellous bone graft is the gold standard in large bone defect repair. However, studies using autologous bone grafting in rats are rare and donor sites as well as harvesting techniques vary.

 

 

Goal

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of autologous cancellous bone graft harvest from 5 different anatomical sites in rats and compare their suitability as donor sites for autologous bone graft.


 

 

Results

It was feasible to harvest cancellous bone graft from all 5 anatomical sites with the humerus and tail being more surgically challenging. The microstructural analysis showed a significantly lower bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, and trabecular thickness of the humerus and iliac crest compared to the femur, tibia, and tail vertebrae. The harvested volume did not differ between the donor sites. All donor sites apart from the femur yielded primary osteogenic cells confirmed by the presence of ALP and Alizarin Red S stain. Bone samples from the iliac crest showed the most consistent outgrowth of osteoprogenitor cells.

  • Publication
    Gens, Lena, et al. "Surgical technique and comparison of autologous cancellous bone grafts from various donor sites in rats." Journal of Orthopaedic Research® (2022).
  • Presentation
    Surgical technique and comparison of autologous cancellous bone grafts from various donor sites in rats, ICORS, 2022 09 07-09, Edinburgh, Lena Gens (oral)
  • Partner

    Emma Marchionatti, Vetsuisse-Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland

     

    Adrian Steiner, Vetsuisse-Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland

Completed