Davut KESKIN, Orhan KARSAN, Naci EZIRMIK, Akif CIFTCIOGLU

Ataturk Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji ABD 25240, ERZURUM, TURKEY

Keywords: Purpose: The effects of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the fracture healing were examined on rabbits. Materials and Method: Thirty rabbits were divided into two groups randomly as experiment and control groups. In the left fibulas of the guineas were maked iatrogenic fracture under local anaesthesia. Medicine wasn't administered to the rabbits in control groups, whereas 20 mg-kg/day alpha-tocopherol IM for five days was administered to those in experiment group by starting an hour before fracture. Four weeks after fracture, intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital was administered, and the rabbits were killed and tissue samples were obtained. Results: As a results of histopathologic examination of tissue samples with the light microscope, it was determined that fracture healing became better in the rabbits in experiment group. This situation was based on the influence of antioxidant on free oxygen radicals occuring in fracture region of vitamin E. Conclusion: In early period after fracture-occurrence, it was concluded that the prophylactic administration of alpha-tocopherol would affect fracture healing positively.