RESUMO Objetivo Estudar a anatomia do plexo braquial em fetos e avaliar diferenças de morfologia durante a evolução, ou encontrar situações anatômicas que possam ser apontadas como causa de paralisias obstétricas. Métodos Foram utilizados nove fetos formolizados entre 12 a 30 semanas de gestação e submetidos à dissecação supra e infraclavicular do plexo braquial. Resultados O plexo braquial inicialmente tem formato de cordão durante sua passagem pelo hiato dos escalenos e em apenas um feto foi observada a origem do nervo frênico por meio do plexo braquial. Na região infraclavicular profunda e retropeitoral menor, os fascículos do plexo braquial se distribuíam na axila e sulco bicipital medial para a formação dos nervos terminais. Conclusão O plexo braquial de fetos humanos apresenta variações e relações com estruturas anatômicas que devem ser consideradas durante os procedimentos clínicos e cirúrgicos das paralisias neonatais do membro superior.

ABSTRACT Objective To study the anatomy of the brachial plexus in fetuses and to evaluate differences in morphology during evolution, or to find anatomical situations that can be identified as the cause of obstetric paralysis. Methods Nine fetuses (12 to 30 weeks of gestation) stored in formalin were used. The supraclavicular and infraclavicular parts of the brachial plexus were dissected. Results In its early course, the brachial plexus had a cord-like shape when it passed through the scalene hiatus. Origin of the phrenic nerve in the brachial plexus was observed in only one fetus. In the deep infraclavicular and retropectoralis minor spaces, the nerve fibers of the brachial plexus were distributed in the axilla and medial bicipital groove, where they formed the nerve endings. Conclusion The brachial plexus of human fetuses presents variations and relations with anatomical structures that must be considered during clinical and surgical procedures for neonatal paralysis of the upper limbs.

Many researches aim to develop different biomaterials that are compatible with natural tissues. In vitro and in vivo tests are used to evaluate this potential. Our aim was to report the importance of the critical defect’s location for in vivo assays, to evaluate this approach; in vivo studies were performed, using different compositions of biomaterials in two critical size defects: tibia and parietal bone. Polycaprolactone was used as the main polymeric matrix with and without addition of hydroxyapatite. In vivo studies on the standard critical size defect in tibia and parietal bone were performed using Wistars models: 3x2 and 5x1 dimensions, respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 32 days; neobone formation was assessed with the histological data. The in vivo data demonstrated differences between the tibia and parietal bone groups: the influence of the bone on the neobone’s formation was notable. All the tibia defect samples had greater neobone volume when compared to the parietal data. Indeed, these bones have distinct embryology, influence of mechanical forces and vascularization rate that are well known; moreover, these characteristics were demonstrated to be critical for neobone formation.

Biomaterials with the hydroxyapatite and biopolymers such as chitosan derived of crustaceans are is an alternative for bone repair. Carbon nanotubes have been a focus of interest because they can ameliorate the biomechanical properties of biomaterials. The objective of this study was to evaluate these materials in the repair of cranial defects in rats. The animals were divided in groups: without implant (G1), implanted with the chitosan/carbon nanotube membrane (G2), and chitosan/nanotube membrane mineralized with hydroxyapatite (G3). The animals were sacrificed 5 weeks after surgery and the skulls were removed for analysis of the defect area. The results showed absence of chronic inflammatory and little bone neoformation in the defect area of all groups. In G2 and G3 there was lack of reabsorption of the biomaterial that were encapsulated by connective tissue. In conclusion, the biomaterials were biocompatible, but their specific physicochemical properties did not indicate a considerable osteoregenerative capacity.

Biomaterials are used as a promising alternative to bone grafts, including bioceramics whose composition resembles that of bone and fibrin sealants due to their hemostatic properties. The objective was to evaluate the repair of cranial defects in 40 rats, grafted with hydroxyapatite and a new fibrin sealant derived from snake venom. The animals were divided into four groups: C (control, no graft); Ha (hydroxyapatite); FS (fibrin sealant), and HaFS (hydroxyapatite and fibrin sealant). The animals were euthanized 2 and 6 weeks after surgery and wound area were submitted to analysis. After 2 weeks, immature bone was formed from the borders of the defect and in groups Ha and HaFS, few hydroxyapatite particles were surrounded by new bone. After 6 weeks, the new bone was mature and surrounded several hydroxyapatite particles, without connective tissue interposition and the volume of new bone was higher in HaFS group. The hydroxyapatite in combination with the new fibrin sealant accelerates bone repair.

Este estudo avaliou a capacidade osteogênica de um novo selante de fibrina (FS) associado com enxerto ósseo e irradiação laser no reparo ósseo. Defeitos foram criados no crânio de 30 ratos e preenchidos com enxerto autógeno e FS derivado do veneno de cobra. Imediatamente após implantação, foi aplicado laser de baixa potência na área cirúrgica. Os animais foram divididos em grupo controle com autógeno (G1), autógeno e laser 5 J/cm2 (G2), autógeno e laser 7J/cm2 (G3), autógeno e FS (G4), autógeno, FS e laser 5J/cm2 (G5), autógeno, FS e laser 7J/cm2 (G6). Os animais foram sacrificados 6 semanas após implante. Resultados mostraram ausência de infiltrado inflamatório no defeito ósseo. Neoformação óssea ocorreu em todos os grupos, entretanto, foi mais intenso em G6. Desta maneira, o FS e laser 7J/cm2 mostraram capacidade osteocondutiva e podem ser um interessante recurso a ser aplicado nas cirurgias de reconstrução óssea.

This study evaluated the osteogenic capacity of a new fibrin sealant (FS) combined with bone graft and laser irradiation in the bone repair. Defects were created in the skull of 30 rats and filled with autogenous graft and FS derived from snake venom. Immediately after implantation, low-power laser was applied on the surgical site. The animals were divided in: control group with autogenous graft (G1), autogenous graft and laser 5 J/cm2 (G2), autogenous graft and laser 7 J/cm2 (G3), autogenous graft and FS (G4), autogenous graft, FS and laser 5 J/cm2 (G5), autogenous graft, FS and laser 7 J/cm2 (G6). The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after implant. Results showed absence of inflammatory infiltrate in the bone defect. New bone formation occurred in all groups, but it was most intense in G6. Thus, the FS and laser 7 J/cm2 showed osteoconductive capacity and can be an interesting resource to be applied in surgery of bone reconstruction.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a importância do colágeno e hidroxiapatita na regeneração de fraturas provocadas experimentalmente na fíbula de ratos. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se 15 ratos nos quais foram submetidos à cirurgia para retirada de um fragmento da fíbula sendo o local enxertado com tubos de silicone preenchidos com hidroxiapatita e colágeno. RESULTADOS: Ocorreu pouca neoformação óssea no interior dos tubos preenchidos com os biomateriais sendo em maior quantidade naqueles com colágeno. CONCLUSÃO: Os biomateriais usados apresentaram biocompatibilidade e capacidade osteocondutora capaz de estimular a osteogênese mesmo nos ossos com funções mecânicas e morfológicas secundárias como a fíbula de ratos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of collagen and hydroxyapatite in the regeneration of fractures experimentally induced in the fibulas of mice. METHOD: 15 rats were submitted to a surgery for the removal of a fragment of the fibula. The fragment was replaced by a silicone tube filled with hydroxyapatite and collagen. RESULTS: Little bone neoformation occurred inside the tubes filled with biomaterials, the largest amount occurring in those with collagen. CONCLUSION: The biomaterials used demonstrated biocompatibility and osteoconductive capacity capable of stimulating osteogenesis, even in bones with secondary mechanical and morphological functions such as the fibula of the rat.

INTRODUÇÃO: Defeitos com perdas de massa óssea são freqüentemente tratados com enxertos ósseos autógenos. Implantes de biomateriais, como hidroxiapatita (HA), também têm sido utilizados com a mesma finalidade, substituindo os enxertos autógenos. Contudo, as condições de saúde do tecido ósseo são fundamentais para que haja a osteointegração do implante. Assim, o consumo excessivo de tabaco, de forma ativa ou passiva, pode prejudicar o processo de neoformação óssea frente ao implante de hidroxiapatita, devido a seus efeitos deletérios sobre o tecido ósseo. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as condições nutricionais dos animais e o processo de neoformação óssea quando grânulos de hidroxiapatita porosa são implantados em falhas ósseas no fêmur de ratos submetidos ao tabagismo passivo. MÉTODOS: Foram implantados grânulos de hidroxiapatita porosa em defeitos ósseos produzidos na epífise distal do fêmur esquerdo de ratos sujeitos ao tabagismo passivo prolongado. Os animais foram acompanhados ao longo do tratamento do tabagismo com duração de seis meses avaliando suas condições físicas. Após oito semanas do implante ósseo do biomaterial, os animais foram sacrificados e as amostras da área do implante submetidas aos métodos histológicos de rotina e mantidas em blocos de parafina para análise histológica, morfométrica, e radiológica. RESULTADOS: Identificou-se que a variação de massa do grupo experimental foi mais intensa quando comparada com a do grupo controle. Quanto aos achados radiológicos, observou-se aparente imagem mais radiolúcida e organizada no grupo controle. Na análise morfológica, houve melhor fechamento do defeito ósseo bem como a osteointegração da hidroxiapatita no grupo controle. Ao comparar o volume de osso formado na área receptora do fêmur, entre o grupo controle e experimental, notou-se que os valores encontrados para os animais submetidos ao tabagismo passivo foram significativamente menores quando comparados com os do grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: A neoformação óssea em defeitos do esqueleto pode ocorrer naturalmente em animais submetidos ao tabagismo passivo, no entanto, de forma mais lenta e em menor proporção.

INTRODUCTION: Defects with bone mass loss are frequently treated with bone autografts. Endografts of bones using biomaterials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) also have been used for the same purpose, replacing autografts. However, bone tissue health conditions are basic for osteointegration of the implant. Thus, excessive tobacco consumption, either as an active or as a passive smoker, may harm the process of bone neoformation with a hydroxyapatite implant due to its deleterious effects to bone tissue. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status of the animals and the process of bone neoformation when porous hydroxyapatite granules are implanted in bone defects of the femur of rats submitted to passive tobacco exposure. METHOD: Porous hydroxyapatite granules were implanted in bone defects produced in the left distal femoral epiphysis of rats subjected to prolonged passive tobacco exposure. The animals were followed along the treatment of tobacco exposure during six months, to evaluate their physical conditions. After eight weeks of the bone implant with the biomaterial, the animals were sacrificed and the specimens of the implant region were submitted to routine histological testing, and maintained in paraffin blocks for morphometric histological and radiological analysis. RESULTS: The mass variation of the experimental group was found to be more intense than that of the control group. As to radiological findings, the control group had an apparent more radio lucent and organized image. In the morphological analysis, there was a better closing of the bone defect and osteointegration of hydroxyapatite in the control group. Upon comparing the volume of bone formed in the receiving area of the femur between the control and the experimental group, the values found for the animals submitted to passive tobacco exposure was lower than that found for the control group. CONCLUSION: Bone neoformation in skeletal defects can occur naturally in animals submitted to passive tobacco exposure, but in a slower manner and in lower proportion.