Bone Formation of Cultured Osteoblasts in Bone Defect of Radial Shaft of Rabbit

Purpose: To evaluate the osteogenic potential of an autologous cultured osteoblast transplant to the bone defects. Materials and Methods: Radial bone defects over 15 mm were made in 20 New Zealand white rabbits using the anterior approach. There were 10 rabbits in the control group, which underwent an iliac bone graft to the preformed bone defect 3 weeks from the initial operation. There were 10 rabbits in the experimental group that underwent an autologous cultured osteoblasts injection. After 9 weeks, both groups were compared radiologically and histologically. Results: The osteogenesis in both groups were progressed similarly and there was no difference in terms of the amount of bone formation and the duration of the bone union. Conclusion: An autologous cultured osteoblast transplant to the bone defect produces bone efficiently. In addition, it can be applied to a wide field, which requires a bone grafting operation.