Summary
Unstable osteochondral fractures were created on one medial femoral condyle of 39 adult rabbits. The fractures were repaired with n-butyl cyanoacrylate adhesive in 21 rabbits. The remaining fractures were not repaired. Radiographs were made at frequent intervals. The rabbits were euthanatized at 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after surgery. The alignment and stability of the osteochondral fragments were assessed, followed by collection of sections of the medial femoral condyles for histological evaluation. Radiologically, the adhesive repaired fractures healed by primary bone union. The adhesive repaired fractures were significantly (p <0.05) better aligned and more stable than the non-repaired fractures at necropsy. Histologically, there was healing of the subchondral fracture lines of adhesive repaired fractures. The articular cartilage overlying the healing fragments was normal or had only minor surface irregularities.
Keywords
Osteochondral fracture - bone adhesive - cyanoacrylate
