Evaluation of Vertical Guided Bone Regeneration Using a Particulate Form of Experimental Bioactive Glass in a Rabbit: A Case Report with Literature Review

Background: There are a large number of different types of bone-grafting materials that are used for the regeneration of atrophied alveolar ridges in order to make dental implantation possible. However, available surgical techniques and materials for bone augmentation do not contribute to the achievement of the desired reliable results and require a search for new solutions to an existing problem. A group of synthetic osteoplastic materials based on bioactive glass (BAG) may become a matter of choice in bone tissue regeneration because of special osteogenic properties. The aim of this study was to visually and histologically evaluate the behavior of an experimental BAG in rabbit tibia bone samples, which were collected from the animal 6 weeks after filling the bone defects. Methods and Results: The observation was carried out on one outbred rabbit whose tibia bone defects were filled with an experimental osteoplastic material based on the BAG. The chemical composition of the experimental osteoplastic material included SiO2 (41%), Na2O (21%), CaO (28.5%), P2O5 (6%), CaF2 (1.5%), MgO (1%), Al2O3 (1%). For histological analysis, H&E staining of paraffin-embedded tissues was performed according to the standard technique. Light microscopy of tissue samples was performed using a Leitz HM-LUX microscope (Germany). Six weeks after filling the bone defects, a strong bond between the augmented hard tissue and rabbit tibia was recognized. Also, a dense fusion of adjacent soft tissues with a newly formed bone without signs of chronic inflammation or graft particles in granular tissue was noted. Microscopic examination of the stained sections showed the presence of mature viable BT with a uniform distribution of osteocytes. Also, residual fragments of the degraded biomaterial surrounded by the fibers of a woven bone were revealed in several slices. Conclusion: In accordance with the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the usage of BAG related to the system SiO2(41%)-Na2O(21%)-CaO(28.5%)-P2O5(6%)-CaF2(1.5%)-MgO(1%)-Al2O3(1%) may increase the volume of bone without application of barrier membrane. However, further research involving more animals needs to be done to estimate the scientific significance of the obtained data and to evaluate the mechanical properties of augmented bone.

Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation on the Growth Plate of the Tibia Bone of Rats: An In Vivo Study

Currently, many children undergo precocious puberty, resulting in short stature due to premature closure of the growth plate. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation induces cell proliferation of articular chondrocytes. We developed a method for growth promotion using equipment with PEMF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of PEMF on the growth rate of growth plates using an animal model. An experimental study was conducted on 16 3-week-old rats to validate the effects of the growth care device on growth and development by PEMF stimulation at 28 Hz and 20 Gauss. The tibia bones of the groups with and without PEMF administration were dissected after 10 days, and then, the length of the growth plate of the knee and levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 hormone in serum were measured. The length of the growth plate on the tibia bone and the levels of circulating IGF-1 were significantly increased by 25.6% and 13.6%, respectively, in the experimental group to which PEMF was applied compared to those of the control group, without any side effects. These results suggest that PEMF can safely stimulate growth of the growth plate in a non-invasive manner to promote bone growth.

Post road traffic accident one-month old, extra-large heel defect coverage by delayed reverse sural artery flap: an interesting case report

Post road traffic accident (RTA) complete heel avulsion injury is not very common, but once it happened, it is very challenging to plastic and reconstructive surgeon to reconstruct the total heal avulsion defect. There is paucity of soft tissue in the region of foot, ankle and lower one third of leg. Although the micro vascular free flap reconstruction is gold standard for reconstruction of large heel defect but not feasible most of the time. Reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is a workhorse flap for reconstruction of heel and lower 1/3rd leg defect. Here we reported a case of 28 years old young man, who had road traffic accident and sustained complete right heel avulsion injury with calcaneal and right tibia bone fracture. Patient was presented to author one month later after the injury with extra-large infective right heel defect size 15×12 cm with k-wires in exposed calcaneal bone. Patient’s surgery was done in two stages. Delayed RSAF survived completely and well settled in our case.