Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
You currently have no access to view or download this content. Please log in with your institutional or personal account if you should have access to through either of these
The Bone & Joint Journal Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from The Bone & Joint Journal

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Epiphysial growth after free fibular transfer with and without microvascular anastomosis. Experimental study in the dog



Download PDF

Abstract

The proximal fibular epiphysis was transferred in young puppies using microvascular techniques. The study demonstrated, as have previous investigators, that free epiphysial transfer without vascular anastomosis results in death of the chondrocytes of the growth plate. Histologically, the chondrocytes do not take up labelled proline, indicating diminished metabolic activity; do not take up radioactive thymidine, indicating that they are not dividing; and there is eventual disruption of the normal histological picture. In contrast, where the microvascular anastomoses re-established the blood supply to the growth plate, the epiphyses demonstrated normal histological appearance, uptake of radioactive proline and thymidine and continued to grow but at a slightly diminished rate. It is concluded that continued growth can occur after free vascularised epiphysial transfer in the dog.

For access options please click here