A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF INTERMAXILLARY FIXATION ON THE CHONDROCYTES OF RABBIT MANDIBULAR CONDYLE;A light and electron microscopic study

악간고정(顎間固定)이 가토(家兎)의 하악두(下顎頭) 연골세포(軟骨細胞)에 미치는 영향(影響)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究);광학현미경적(光學顯微鏡的) 및 전자현미경적(電子顯微鏡的) 연구(硏究)

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of intermaxillary fixation on the chondrocytes of the mandibular condyle under the light and the electron microscope. For this study, twenty rabbits were placed in maxillomandibular fixation, and two were used as a control group. The experimental group was subdivided into 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 day group. After the experimental period of 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, the animals were sacrificed with a vascular perfusion of 2.5% glutaraldehyde. The condylar processes were exenterated, and decalcified in 0.1M EDTA with 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution for two weeks. The specimens were rinsed with phosphate buffer solution and the post-fixation was carried out with 2% osmium tetroxide at $4^{\circ}C$ for two hours. Thereafter the specimens were dehydrated in alcohol series, cleared with propylene oxide and embedded in Epon 812 resin. Thin sections and ultra-thin sections were made, and the cellular structures of the condylar cartilages were observed with light and electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. In the intermaxillary fixation group, the cartilaginous tissues of mandibular condyles showed a marked decrease in the thickness compared to the control group. 2. A remarkable change was noticed in the proliferating and the hypertrophic zone of the condylar cartilages in the experimental group. 3. An atrophic change of the condylar cartilage was appeared in the 3 day experimental group and degenerative change was observed in the 7 day experimental group, and recovery was seen in thereafter 14 day experimental group. 4. Calcification, degeneration and resorption of condylar cartilage were recognizable, and the cellular zone of the condylar cartilage was appeared indistinctly in 3 day and 7 day experimental group. The chondroblasts, however, were differentiated into chondrocytes and resumed mitosis, and then the cellular zones of the condylar cartilage were reorganized from the 14 day experimental group under the findings of light microscope. 5. Under the findings of electron microscope, atrophic changes and decrease in number of intracellular organelles, degenerative changes of cytoplasm, and pyknosis of nuclei were observed in early stage, however, a gradual regeneration and reorganization of the intracellular organelles were observed from 14 day experimental group.