As conventional options for bone repair are not satisfactory, a new flap category was developed, the prefabricated flap (RPF). 42 metatarsic-I bone were obtained from 21 Wistar rats, and divided in two groups: group I (n=21) the bones were freeze- dryed and decalcified and group II (n=21) was frozen to - 70º C. After 3 weeks the bones were grafted in 21 rats, onto the left na right inferior epigastric vessels wrapped in silicon sheet. Groups I and II were subdivided in 3 groups each, following the period of permanence (1,2 or 4 weeks). In macroscopic histologic study, group I revealed loss of bone architecture and group II manteined its concistency and shape. In quantitative analysis, alterations were observed in group I, mainly inthe 2 weeks group. There is a histologic difference in prefabricated bone flaps betwenn groups I and II. Gradual bone reabsorption suggests that the flap should be rotated early. This study shows the applicability of homogenous bone for flap prefabrication.
surgical flaps; Osteogenesis; Bone; Bone transplantation; Rats
