Freezing bone without excision. An experimental study of bone-cell destruction and manner of regrowth in dogs

Abstract

Uniform cell death was produced at any temperature below 0[degree]C, and this effect was seen after only 5 min. of freezing. The devitalized matrix remained as a scaffold for new bone growth but contributed nothing to osteogenesis. Repair originated from the adjacent normal bone, and slowly new bone replaced the devitalized segment, requiring 6 mo. or more for completion. The results suggested that the technique may prove useful in the treatment of bone tumors in selected patients.