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Development and validation of new model for microvascular transplantation of epiphyseal plate allografts with minimal adjoining epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone

✍ Scribed by Peter W. Bray; Peter C. Neligan; C. Vaughan A. Bowen; Jayne S. Danska; Martin I. Boyer


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
2003
Tongue
English
Weight
571 KB
Volume
23
Category
Article
ISSN
0738-1085

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✦ Synopsis


Abstract

A model for the free allograft microvascular transplantation of rabbit proximal tibial epiphyseal plate allografts was developed, validated, and tested in an in vivo animal model. Transplants contained the minimum amount of adjacent epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone compatible with preservation of the epiphyseal‐plate vascular supply, as determined by corrosion casting. Perfusion to this graft was evaluated quantitatively using radioactive microspheres, and qualitatively using India‐ink injection. Female New Zealand White rabbits at 12 weeks of age were utilized. Vascularized transplantation of epiphyseal plate allografts was performed either into a defect of matched size in the iliac crest or into a soft‐tissue pocket without bone contact. Cyclosporine A immunosuppression (CSA) was administered daily for 6 weeks. Two control groups underwent identical surgical procedures, but had no postoperative immunosuppression. Epiphyseal plates both with and without bone contact, in rabbits immunosuppressed postoperatively with CSA, demonstrated longitudinal growth and preserved viability as determined by positive bromodeoxyuridine uptake. Control epiphyseal plates transferred without postoperative immunosuppression were uniformly nonviable. This new model has value as a basis for further studies into the clinical applicability of isolated epiphyseal‐plate transplants. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:153–163 2003