Bone Growth after Free Vascularized Grafting of the Upper Radius including its Epiphysis in Puppies

ABSTRACT

The radius including the proximal epiphysis was transferred in puppies. Growth in the vascularized long bone grafts in growing animals was significantly greate than in the non-vascularized grafts, not equal to normal growth. In the non-vascularized grafts the epiphyses closed one month postoperatively, compared to 5 months in the vascularized grafts and 6 months in the normal controls. This data suggests that, in transplantation of growing bone, revascularization is essential to maximize continuing growth. This study is an initial step in the development of a technique for the transfer of a free vascularized growth plate. This information would be beneficial in predicting growth patterns of free vascularized bone transfers for growth disturbances, congenital anomalies and trauma in youth.