Mohsen MalekiGorji, Arash Golestaneh , Maryam MalakiGorji
Background and Objectives: Despite the advances in maxillofacial surgery, impaired bone healing remains a concern for surgical teams. Many studies have evaluated the effects of sildenafil and pentoxifylline on bone healing. However, their effects on healing of bone fractures have not been well investigated. This study aimed to assess the effects of sildenafil and pentoxifylline phosphodiesterase inhibitors on healing of mandibular fractures in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10. Mandibular fracture was induced in all rats. After the surgical procedure, C1 group received saline, S1 group received 10 mg/kg sildenafil and P1 group received 50 mg/kg pentoxifylline. The rats were sacrificed after 1 week. C4, S4 and P4 groups received pharmaceutical therapy as in groups C1, S1 and P1 but were sacrificed after 4 weeks. The samples then underwent histological analysis. Results: The mean rate of healing of mandibular fractures in S1 and P1 groups was significantly higher than that in C1 group at 1 week (P<0.001). The mean rate of healing of mandibular fractures in P1 group was higher than that in S1 group at 1 week (P=0.04). The mean rate of healing of mandibular fractures in S4 (P=0.001) and P4 (P=0.004) groups was significantly higher than that in C4 group at 4 weeks but no significant difference was noted between P4 and S4 groups in this respect (P=0.53). Conclusion: Sildenafil and pentoxifylline can be used as adjuncts to enhance bone healing.