Rabbits as a model for research into craniofacial distraction osteogenesis

UM Diasim, Ineke Weijma, Eppo Wolvius, Han van Neck, Karel Wal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Various factors affect the choice of the appropriate animal for craniofacial research. We have evaluated the rabbit as a suitable animal for research on craniofacial distraction osteogenesis. We describe our experience with housing and handling them. surgical and experimental protocols, and compare them with other animals. We introduce, and describe the use of, a continuous hydraulic distractor on the nasal bones of the rabbit. Fifty-two skeletally mature New Zealand While rabbits were used. Forty-two of the 52 operations were uneventful. Ten of the fifty-two developed complications, of which two were animal-related, and the other eight distractor-related. During the experiments the animals stayed healthy, and the distraction procedures were well tolerated. Rabbits are excellent for use in biological research on craniofacial distraction osteogenesis. Specifically their nasal bones are easily accessible, the size and shape of the nasal bones allow various commercially available as well as custom-made distractors to be attached to the bones easily, their care and housing are relatively simple and inexpensive. and harvesting of tissue for further analyses is no problem because their skulls are of a manageable size and shape compared with other laboratory animals. (c) 2008 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)620-624
Number of pages5
JournalBritish Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume46
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Research programs

  • EMC MUSC-01-50-01

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