Bone marrow circulation after osteotomy: Blood flow, pO₂, pCO₂, and pressure studied in dogs

Abstract

We investigated the immediate effect of osteotomy of the femoral shaft in adult dogs on intramedullary pO₂, pCO₂, relative bone blood flow (RBF) and intraosseous pressure (IOP). Single osteotomy resulted in a pO₂ decrease from 49 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg. Double osteotomy further reduced pO₂ to 21 mm Hg. Following double osteotomy, pCO₂ increased from 42 mm Hg to 55 mm Hg. IOP was decreased by single osteotomy from 29 mm Hg to 15 mm Hg, and to 4 mm Hg by the second osteotomy. Linear regression analysis showed a negative correlation between pCO₂ and RBF. We concluded that osteotomy introduces immediate haemodynamic and metabolic changes in the bone marrow canal. A periosteal supply of the endosteal bone seems possible provided this system is intact.