Objective: This study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the growth of new blood vessels in critical sized defects (CSD) in rabbits treated with nonresorbable membrane or true bone ceramic (TBC). Methods: Critical sized defects of 15 mm in diameter were created in the occipital and frontal bones of 12 rabbits. The defects filled in a random way. Group1 were filled with TBC (cortical/sponge). Group2 were filled with TBC (perforated cortical/sponge). Group3 were covered with titanium membrane. At 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after operation, microvascular casts prepared by the plastic injection method (Ohta et al. 1990) around the experimental site were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Results: At week 2, sproutings and congregate sinusoidal capillary plexus and primary bone trabeculae (woven bone) were observed between the TBC (group1) and defect margin. Group3 revealed a fine and immature sinusoidal capillary plexus arising from sproutings and elongations of pre-existing blood vessels and woven bone formed along the defect margin. At week 4 and 8, newly formed trabeculae were observed on the surface of the TBC, and a network of thick, newly formed vessels was observed in intervening space. The framework of vascular pattern of group3 showed grape fence-like structure, which indicated a solid architecture for new tissue to form. At week 16, TBC was embedded in new bone and bone defect were filled. Group3 was filled with newly formed bone similar to the preexisting bone. Group2 was similar in group1 implant, but there were more vessels arising from epithelium and dura matter formed in the perforated sites. Conclusion: The utilization of TBC was seemed to support complete closure of critical sized defects in rabbits. TBC may serve as a bony matrix for guiding vascularization and allow satisfactory bony ingrowth.

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