Development of a bone nonunion in a noncritical segmental tibia defect model in sheep utilizing interlocking nail as an internal fixation system

Angel R. Lozada-Gallegos, Jorge Letechipia-Moreno, Icela Palma-Lara, Aldo Alessi Montero, Gerardo Rodríguez, Federico Castro-Muñozledo, Miguel A. Cornejo-Cortés, M. Lourdes Juárez-Mosqueda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The bone nonunion is an important complication of bone fracture repair. The existing models developed on small animal species prevent using osteosynthesis materials designed to be implanted in human bones. The goal of this study was to develop a nonunion process in a noncritical segmental tibial defect in sheep, a species analogous in size to humans. Materials and methods: The animals were divided into two groups of four animals each. In Group 1 (experimental), the defect was created by surgically stripping the periosteum from the edges of a distal tibial osteotomy, keeping the edges 5 mm apart, and placing an incomplete O-shaped silicone ring in the gap. Group 2 (control) was intervened with a simple fracture at the distal end of the tibia. In both groups an interlocking nail was used as a fixation system. Over 8 wk after surgery, radiographs and histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: The control group showed a typical bone repair process. In contrast, the experimental group showed a fracture line with rounded edges and a scarce callus formation. The bone callus showed reduced amount of bone formation and large content of fibrous tissue (P = 0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that our model developed an atrophic nonunion in sheep, a species having multiple similarities to humans, such as weight, size, bone structure, and bone remodeling process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)620-628
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume183
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bone nonunion
  • Interlocking nail fixation
  • Large animal model
  • Noncritical segmental defect
  • Sheep

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