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Development of A Novel Translational Animal Model of Autologous Cranioplasty Using Cryopreserved Bone
Taborah Zaramo, BS, Nojan Bajestani, BS, Kerry-Ann Mitchell MD-PhD
The Ohio State University Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
2023-02-10
Presenter: Taborah Zaramo
Affidavit:
This is original work
Director Name: Gregory D. Pearson, MD
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Background:
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a lifesaving procedure wherein a large segment of the skull is removed to relieve intracranial pressure. The bone is stored in a freezer until brian swelling resolves, at which time it is replaced in a cranioplasty surgery. Efforts to study cryopreserved bone healing are limited by the lack of an appropriate animal model.The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a mouse model of DC to study reconstruction of large size skull defects.
Methods:
A critical sized defect was performed in C57BL/6 mice using published techniques. The calvarial bone was cryopreserved at -80 degrees for the study animals and later replaced at 1 week post operatively, while it was replaced during the same operation for the control animals. Mice were scarificed at 2, 4, and 8 after bone replacement and the skull was extracted. Micro-CT scan and immunofluorescence was used to characterize bone healing.
Results:
Surgery was performed on a total of 8 mice thus far, with two mice per group. There were no mortalities related to the surgeries. Micro-CT data demonstrated incomplete bone healing at 2 and 4 weeks post operatively in both control and cryopreserved bone, with complete healing at 8 weeks.
Conclusion:
These preliminary studies demonstrate feasibility of performing decompressive craniectomy in mice, and cranioplasty using cryopreserved calvarial bone. This will be a critical model not only for evaluating strategies to optimize cryopreserved bone healing, but also to develop innovative approaches for repairing large size bone defects.
