Radiological and morphological substantiation of using compression osteosynthesis for treating cranial bone fractures. Experimental canine data

Optimizing the conditions for cranial bone fracture healing remains to be a relevant field of the current traumatology and orthopaedics. Purpose. To study the impact of compression on reparative osteogenesis when engrafting the resected flaps of calvarial bones. Materials and methods. Two groups of experiments performed in 20 adult mongrel dogs complying with all the requirements of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes. Dogs from Group 1 (n=10) underwent resection of the two sites of calvarial bones (the caudal flap preserved connections with surrounding soft tissues, the cranial flap - not preserved) of rectangular shape and 1.9×1.5 cm by size, they were laid into their former place and fixation performed with compression using thin wires with stoppers to the medial defect margin by transosseous osteosynthesis method. Compression produced by tightening fixing wires with the force of 40 kg. In Group 2 (n=10) bone flaps were laid into the defect without fixation. The investigations (clinical, radiological and histological) performed 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60 days after surgery. Results. Compression produced at the junction of the margins of free bone fragments and calvarial flat bone defect revealed to contribute to bone tissue formation in earlier periods of time. Conclusion. The results obtained in the present study formed the basis for using the technique of transosseous compression osteosynthesis in treatment of patients with cranial bone fractures in clinical departments of the Center.