author(s)
Nadia Hameed Rija Al- Falahi

abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of small intestine sub mucosa on enhancing healing of the experimentally induced bone gap in a rabbit model during the period from May 2009 to April/ 2010. A total of 16 healthy local rabbits with age of 7-9 months were used. The rabbits were divided into two equal groups: The individuals of the all groups were subjected to operation to produce bone gap (1cm) in the radius bone to get a critical bone defect. In the control group animals were left without any treatment. While in the treated group the bone defect was filled with small intestine sub mucosa which was harvested from sheep. Results revealed that there were no signs of immunological rejection or infection at the site of operation in all animals and the radiography showed a periosteal and endosteal reaction. Moreover the gaps were bridged faster in the treated group as compared with the control group. The histological examination showed a cartilage formation in a large amount on weeks (4 and 8) post operation in the treated group with wide bone trabecullae as compared to control group.