Histomorphometric analysis of rabbit calvarial bone: storage in saline solution versus storage in platelet-poor plasma.

PURPOSE In reconstructive procedures harvested bone grafts are often temporarily stored in extraoral media while the recipient site is prepared. The aim of the present study was to analyze histomorphometrically osteocytes in calvarial bone grafts stored in either physiologic saline solution or platelet-poor plasma (PPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Calvarial bone fragments were obtained from 12 rabbits and fixed immediately in formalin (control) or stored in PPP or in saline solution for 30 minutes prior to fixation. All specimens were decalcified and embedded in glycol methacrylate. A differential osteocyte count (normal osteocytes, abnormal osteocytes, and empty lacunae) was performed for the sections and submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Fisher least-square-difference (LSD) test. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS The histomorphometric analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences among the groups (control, PPP, saline) for all analyzed parameters (P < .05). The median number of normal osteocytes observed was 31.8 +/- 2.3 for the control group, 29.7 +/- 4.2 for the PPP group, and 19.1 +/- 4.6 for the saline group. The median number of abnormal osteocytes observed was 14.7 +/- 3.9 for the saline group, 8.7 +/- 2.3 for the PPP group, and 7.0 +/- 2.3 for the control group. The median number of empty lacunae observed was 12.9 +/- 4.7 for the saline group, 8.5 +/- 2.4 for the PPP group, and 6.9 +/- 2.3 for the control group. CONCLUSION The current study has shown that PPP is a better storage medium for osteocyte preservation than physiologic saline solution. The best results were observed in the control group. (More than 50 references.)