Introduction: Finding a simple, applied and inexpensive method to increase the rate of bone healing can reduce the convalescent period and its side effects in the affected patients. Considering the angiogenic and healing potentials of greater omentum, this study was carried out to evaluate its role in experimental bone healing.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 10 healthy dogs in the same conditions. Under general inhalation anesthesia and following surgical preparations, both tibiae of the animals were exposed medially and a midshaft osteotomy was performed with a saline cooled oscillating saw. An 8-holes dynamic compression plate was used to fix the bone. In treatment leg, a piece of greater omentum, obtained from a 5 cm midline abdominal incision was wrapped around the osteotomy site, followed by routine closure of soft tissue and skin. Latero-medial and cranio-caudal radiographs were taken every two weeks for 10 weeks. The animals were then euthanized and all the soft tissues and plate were removed from the bone and the bone sent for CT scanning.

Results: Radiographically, the rate of bone union was much faster in treatment group in comparison with the control group. The callus was much more voluminous and denser in treatment group. The treatment legs were about 2 weeks ahead in healing process. In transverse CT images the volume of the callus in treatment legs was more than control legs. Some osteolytic zones could be seen in treatment group. The callus density in treatment group was higher than control cases. In longitudinal CT sections, the fracture line in treatment group was almost disappeared. The callus had a good density and healing was well in progress, whereas in control cases the callus density was lower and the fracture line could be seen in most of the cases.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that autogenous non-vascularized greater omentum can augment bone healing by increasing the callus volume and rate of bone formation.