Radiographic and histological evaluations of the effects of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine on the repair of radial bone defects in a rabbit model

The current study radiographically and histologically evaluated the effects of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine on the repair of radial bone defects in a rabbit model. Ninety New Zealand White rabbits (10-12 months, 1.5-2.6 kg) were randomly assigned into three groups. Following anesthesia, defects were created on the medial surface of the radius bone of the left forelimb with a diameter and depth of 3 mm. The animals were administrated meloxicam, flunixin meglumine, and physiological serum (positive control) subcutaneously each day for 10 days. Hematoxylin and Eosin and Goldner’s trichrome stainings, along with radiograph images were prepared to investigate the effects of the administered agents. The results did not show callus formation in bone defects on days 3 and 7. Defects were filled in meloxicam and positive control groups on day 14, while they were filled on day 21 in the flunixin meglumine group. On days 14 and 21, the meloxicam group outperformed the flunixin meglumine group in terms of callus formation, but it was higher in the flunixin meglumine group on day 28. It could be concluded that the administration of meloxicam is less effective in delaying the bone healing process.