The ingrowth quota of autologous spongiosa from different points of removal--experimental study in sheep. A preliminary report.

The importance of the point of removal for the ingrowth quota of autologous spongiosa was examined in seven sheep. In six sheep spongiosa was taken from five different regions (proximal radius, olecranon, pelvic crest, trochanter major, and proximal tibia) and was transplanted autologously. Defined corticalis defects of the tibia were the chosen sites for the heterotopic implantations. The ingrowth quota were tested by X-ray as well as scintigraphically, histologically, and fluorescent-microscopically; one animal was taken for control. A judgement was made by quantifying scintigraphy and fluorescent-microscopic histometry. Better ingrowth quota were found for spongiosa from the pelvic crest, proximal tibia, and trochanter major as compared to qualitatively clearly worse transplants from radius base and olecranon. The results from the animal experiments prove the clinical experience.