Fresh autologous segmental grafts of fibula, four centimeters long, were
obtained from thirteen adult dogs. Holes were drilled in each before
replantation. The amount of repair was determined after intervals of from
four to twenty-four weeks. Torsional stress testing showed that the six
drill holes 500 micrometers in diameter confined within an expanse of two
centimeters did not mechanically weaken the transplants at the time of
surgery. The drill holes were rapidly filled with cancellous bone which
matured to cortical bone within twelve weeks. Microradiography and
tetracycline labeling of drilled and non-drilled grafts demonstrated
similar biological reparative patterns.