Effect of Spinal Growth Plate Reimplantation on Growth: Experimental Study in Lambs

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]This study aims to evaluate the possibility of treating the defective segment without damaging the healthy adjacent vertebrae using growth plate transfer in segmentation defects.[¤]METHODS[|]In this study, a 6.5 mm diameter graft of intervertebral disc and growth plate between L3-4 vertebrae of six lambs were harvested and reimplanted to the same area. L2-L5 vertebrae were taken as a control group. Two months later, the growth of the reimplanted tissue underwent radiological and histological evaluation.[¤]RESULTS[|]Radiologically, comparison between study and control groups concerning bimonthly growth percentages (study: %5,467, control: %4,17) were found statistically significant [study group: %5,467, control group: %4,17; p=0.025, (p<0.05)]. Histologically, three vertebrae epiphyses were found to be near normal appearance, but in three vertebrae, severe fibrosis was seen. Proliferative zone thickening, which is evidence of epiphyseal ischemia, was not observed in any of the samples. Bone bridging of the physics was seen in only one sample.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Growth plate transfer in the treatment of congenital spinal deformity has found to be feasible technique, which provides a physiological vertebral growth.[¤]

Keywords

• congenital segmentation defect
• growth plate transfer
• vertebral growth