Effect of subtotal periosteal stripping on architecture of tibia in rabbits

AIM To observe the effects of subtotal periosteal stripping on the architecture of the rabbits' tibia. METHODS A comparison was conducted between the tibia of the rabbit that had been stripped of a greater part of periosteum and the tibia with an intact periosteum, with regard to the length, density, strength and histological findings in 8 and 12 wk after operation. RESULTS The studies revealed similar measurements of the intact periosteum and the stripped one, suggesting the compromise of the vascularization at the donor site had been fully compensated by the invasion of metaphyseal vessels and vessels of the remaining periosteum, resulting in unchanged morphology, density and strength of the donor site bone. Furthermore, regeneration of periosteum at the donor site was observed and the operated periosteum had the same structure as the untouched periosteum 8wk post operation. CONCLUSION Large area periosteum harvesting will not affect the architecture of the bone at donor site.