Conclusion
This study shows a more intensive and extensive revascularization in experiment 2, as significantly more vessels were detected. The decreased amount of CT in experiment 2 clarifies its clinical superiority.
Methods
In a sheep model, autogenous bone grafts were harvested from the iliac crest. A combination of a resorbable collagen membrane (CM) and deproteinized bovine bone material (DBBM) was used to modify the bone graft (experiment 2). This was compared with a simple onlay bone graft (control group, experiment 1). The amount of vessels in bone and connective tissue (CT), and the amount of CT were analyzed. The expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF) was compared between the two experimental groups using immunohistochemical analysis.
Results
The ratio of the amount of vessels in bone and CT changed over time, and more vessels could be detected in bone at 12-16 weeks of graft healing. The number of vessels were significantly higher in experiment 2 than in experiment 1. More CT was found in experiment 1, whereas the amount of CT in both experiments decreased over time.