Concurrent Use of Greater Omentum with Persian Gulf Coral on Bone Healing in Dog: a Radiological and Histopathological Study

Objective- To evaluate the role of greater omentum incorporation of coral in healing of the long bone defect in dog model. Design- Experimental in-vivo study. Animals- Sixteen adult mongrel male dogs weighing 26.2±2.5 kg, free of evident infectious or parasitic illnesses were used in this study. Procedures- The operative procedure was undertaken under general anesthesia. Radial bone was exposed via a medial approach and a 10 mm transverse bone defect was created at mid-diaphysis with an electrical bone cutting saw. For omental free graft preparation, the abdominal cavity was approached through a 3 cm ventral midline incision, then the free end of the greater omentum was located and exteriorized from the abdominal cavity. A 30x30 mm piece of the omentum was isolated and harvested. In the control group (n=4), the defect was left empty. In the omental group (n=4) the defect was filled with the harvested omentum, in the omental-coral group (n=4) the defect was filled with omentum and a segment of coral. In the coral group (n=4) a segment of coral was implanted into the defected site. Finally, the injured radial bones were fixed with plate and screw. Radiographs of each forelimb were taken postoperatively on 1st day and at 30th and 60th post injury days to evaluate bone formation radiological criteria. The operated radial bones were removed on 60th postoperative day and were histopathologically evaluated. Results-Compared to the control groups, more advanced bone healing criteria was present in the coral, omental and omental-coral groups at radiological and histopathological evaluation at 60th post-operative day. Conclusion and clinical relevance- This study demonstrated favorable bone healing with the coral, omental and omental-coral in long bone defects in dog model.