Development of an experimental model of infected bone void in the ulna of rabbits.

Objective: Develop a model that allowed the study of bone regeneration in infection conditions.

Method: A 15 mm defect was surgically created in the rabbit ulna and inoculated with 5x10(8) colony-forming units (CFU) of S. aureus. Surgical debridement was performed two weeks after and systemic gentamicin was administered for four weeks. Animals were followed up to 12 weeks to evaluate infection control and bone regeneration.

Result: Bone regeneration was inferior to 25% of the defect in radiological and histological analysis.

Conclusion: Infected bone defect of 15 mm in the rabbit ulna was unable to achieve full regeneration without further treatment. Level of Evidence V, Experimental Study.