Histomorphometry as a method for assessing the healing of tubular bone fractures (review of Russian literature and own data)

Aim. To carry out an analytical review of the Russian scientific literature on histomorphometric methods for assessing the fractures healing of tubular bones, as well as to supplement this topic with our own data. Material and methods. The search for scientific literature was conducted using the e-library. Our own data were obtained on 30 white mature rats, which made a whole defect in the tibiae. Morphological and morphometric studies of the regenerate were performed on the 3rd, 10th, 15th, 24th, and 45th days after surgery on histological sections. Results. According to the literature review, no single generally accepted histomorphometric methodology for assessing the healing of tubular bone fractures has been found, which can be attributed to the researcher’s choice of various methods for modeling fractures, methodological approaches to morphometry, and different follow-ups for studying of regenerate formed. In the early stages after the fracture (3 days), the measurements carried out mainly concern the hematoma and its cellular composition, and in the remaining periods (10 days or more) – the parameters of the tissues forming and gradually replacing each other (granulation, fibroreticular, woven and lamellar bone) and their structural components. Hematoma persists up to 10 days after surgery, but its area decreases sharply due to the replacement of granulation tissue, which is determined up to 24 days. Fibroreticular tissue and woven bone are determined from 3rd day, and the maximum values of their areas are obtained on 10th and 15th days, with a further decrease by 24th, 45th days. Lamellar bone tissue is detected from 10th day and its area increases by 45th day, as well as that of the bone marrow spaces in the regenerate. Conclusion. The data available in the literature on the histostructure and morphometry of the regenerate are supplemented by the actual values of their areas on different days after modeling the fracture, their percentages to the total area of the regenerate and the dynamics of their changes from one period to another.