Augmentation of skull bone using a bioresorbable barrier supported by autologous bone grafts - An intra-individual study in the rabbit

The aim of this experimental investigation was to compare the effect of using autologous particulate bone grafts with and without a bioresorbable barrier covering for augmentation of the rabbit skull bone. For this purpose, bilateral, circular, 8 mm wide and 1 mm deep skull bone defects were prepared and overfilled with particulate bone grafts. The grafts placed in the test sites were covered with a bioresorbable barrier (Guidor(R) Matrix Barrier). The grafts placed in the control sites were covered only by the repositioned, cutaneous flap. 12 weeks later, the animals were sacrificed, the experimental sites were defleshed and the height and volume of the augmented bone in the test and control sites were measured clinically. Histologically, morphometrical measurements of the bone tissue were performed in decalcified vertical cross-sections of the experimental sites. Statistically significant differences were found in favour of the coverage of the bone graft particles with the barrier, both with respect to the height and the volume of the augmented bone.