Development and Characterization of a Rabbit Model of Compromised Maxillofacial Wound Healing.

INTRODUCTION: Tissue engineering technologies aiming to enhance maxillofacial wound healing are often tested in vivo in pre-clinical models that do not necessarily reflect the complexity of the clinical need. The aim of this study was to develop a rabbit model of compromised craniofacial wound healing that more accurately mimics clinical scenarios.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental group of rabbits (n= 10) received fractionated radiation of the mandible totaling 36 Gy. Four weeks after irradiation, both the experimental group and control group (n= 10) underwent a surgical procedure creating a critical size defect in the mandibular bone. Four weeks after surgery, tissue healing was assessed using micro-computed tomography (CT), maximum intensity projection (MIP) scoring, and histopathology.

RESULTS: micro-CT analysis and MIP scoring showed decreased mineralized tissue in the defect area of irradiated animals when compared to the control group. Histopathology showed necrosis in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS: Irradiated animals showed significantly compromised wound healing when compared to controls. This pre-clinical model presents a clinically relevant environment for the investigation of novel wound healing technologies in a compromised critical size bone defect.