A comparison study between periosteum and resorbable collagen membrane on iliac block bone graft resorption in the rabbit calvarium

BACKGROUND To compare the different resorption patterns between resorbable membrane barrier and periosteum after iliac block bone grafting radiographically and histologically. METHODS Eighteen mature male rabbits weighing from 2.0 to 2.5 kg were used. The recipient site was the rabbit skull, and autogenous iliac bone was used as the grafting material. The harvested iliac block bones were divided in the following groups: autogenous iliac block bone with preservation of the periosteum (the periosteum group), autogenous iliac block bone covered with a resorbable collagen membrane (Biomesh®, Samyang Co, Korea) after removing the periosteum (the collagen membrane group), and autogenous iliac block bones with removal of the periosteum (the control group). In each experimental group, periosteum or resorbable collagen membrane of the donor site was fixed directed to the periosteum of the recipient site. The specimens were examined macroscopically, radiographically, histologically, and histomorphometrically at every 2, 4, and 8 weeks. RESULTS All groups presented excellent bone graft healing state without inflammation, dehiscence, or displacement. The radiolucency increased from mild to moderate in all groups over the experiment. The mean thickness of the upper end of the cortical iliac bone graft was statistically significantly different between the control group and the periosteum group, between the four-week and eight-week control group, and between the four- week and eight-week periosteum group (p & 0.05). CONCLUSION This study suggests that both the periosteum and the resorbable collagen membrane may help to prevent soft tissue infiltration into the bone graft and to reduce bone graft resorption compared to block graft alone.