The angiogenic potential of autogenous free omental graft in experimental tibial defects in rabbit: Short-term preliminary histopathological study

This study was designed to evaluate the role of free autogenous greater omentum in vasculogenesis during the process of bone healing. The study was carried out on 15 male adult white New Zealand rabbits in the same condition. Both tibiae of the animals were exposed medially and a 2 mm hole was drilled at proximal diaphysis. A small piece of greater omentum, obtained from a 1 cm mid-abdominal incision was secured on left tibial hole. The animals were euthanized 14 days after operation and the bones removed for histopathological and immunohistochemical (anti-CD31 application for endothelial cell labeling) studies. In histopathological sections, the soft callus area in treatment legs was significantly more than the control legs. Also, the hole diameter in treatment group was significantly less than the control group. The number of capillary buds in treatment legs was significantly more than the control group. This study showed that an autogenous free greater omentum graft can influence bone healing through augmentation of vasculogenesis, as an essential element for proper bone healing.