The Effect of Reconstruction of the Critical Size Defect by Titanium Mesh in the Developing Rabbit Calvarium to Calvarium Development
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Aim: Defect reconstruction of growing calvarium is still challenging procedure. The materials shouldprovide strength and protection, be lightweight, chemically inert, noncarcinogenic, malleable to enhanceaesthetic outcome, nonferrous to allow utilization of magnetic resonance imaging, and osteoconductiveand osteogenic. In addition, the advantages of alloplastic material avoid donor site morbidity and providean unlimited supply. Although an ideal implant is not still defined, titanium mesh is one of the acceptablealternatives. In this study, we evaluated that if titanium mesh implant can be used for reconstruction ofdefects in growing calvarium and caused a secondary asymetry deformity with rigid or semirigid fixationof implant.Materials and Methods: 6 week-old 24 New Zealand rabbits were used and divided into four equalgroups. First group was normal population group. 15 mm. diameter critical size defects were createdon parietal bone of each rabbit in second, third and fourth groups. Second group was decided as shamgroup for critical size defect. Defects were reconstructed with 0.6 mm. thickness titanium mesh and fixedwith 4.0 polypropylene sutur in the third group as semirigid fixation and with 4 mm. long titanium screwsas rigid fixation in the fourth group. At the beginning, rabbit calvarias were scanned with cranial CT and3D reconstructions were created. Experiment finished when rabbits were 18 weeks old. Sacrifisation andcranial CT scan performed and standart photographs were taken for each rabbit in all groups. The lengthmeasurements were performed from reference points and comparisons were made between groups.Results: According to 6 week 3D CT measurements, groups were well-balanced. According to 18 week 3DCT measurements there was no statistically difference between groups. Also measurements of defectiveside and opposite side in each group were not different.Discussion: We evaluated that the titanium mesh did not cause any deformity in growing calvariumand fixation technique of the mesh did not change the result. So in defects of pediatric calvarium, ifreconstruction with autogen bone graft is impossible, reconstruction with titanium mesh can be anacceptable choice.