Permanent and temporary epiphysiodesis: an experimental study in a rabbit model

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the Phemister technique (permanent epiphysiodesis) with temporary epiphysiodesis with stapling and evaluate the degree of epiphyseal plate activity following staple removal using radiographic, scintigraphic and histopathologic methods and to investigate whether bone scintigraphy could provide clues on expected physis activity. Methods: This study included 24 New Zealand rabbits divided into three groups of 8. Group 1 underwent Phemister’s epiphysiodesis; Group 2, epiphysiodesis with stapling; and Group 3, epiphysiodesis stapling group with staples removed in the 3rd week. Radiological and scintigraphic data were recorded in the 3rd and 6th weeks. All animals were sacrificed for histopathological evaluation at the 6th week. Limb length was calculated using radiological assessment and their growth plate activation recorded from scintigraphic region of interest (ROI) assessment in the 3rd and 6th weeks. Histopathological findings of the growth plate were measured using qualitative and quantitative methods. All data were compared to the non-operated right side. Results: Group 1 had effective scintigraphic, radiologic and histopathological findings than the other groups (p 0.05). In Group 3, growth plate activation was detected to be higher than the regular physis activity (p 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative and postoperative scintigraphy combined with radiological assessment can provide an idea on the reversibility of growth plate activation.