Expected length of the procedure was approximately 1 h. Following placement of the implants, the wound was sutured in layers. The underlying muscle, fascia, and dermal layers were sutured with the help of Vicryl (Polyglactin 910) suture with 3/8 circle reverse cutting needle. The skin was sutured to a primary closer with the same suture material.

Plain X-ray images of all the rabbit tibia were taken after suturing to confirm the position of implants and to detect any injury/fracture of the bone (Fig. 1).

After the surgical procedure, the animals were housed in a cage under the supervision of a veterinary doctor until they came out of anesthesia. The rabbit was observed every 2 h on the first day of surgery followed by once a day to check the wound for infection. The wound was protected with povidone iodine ointment. The rabbits were allowed immediate weight bearing as tolerated; therefore, they had no restraints on weight bearing.

Animals were shifted and housed together with other rabbits. The rabbit was given a dose of Cephalexin 12 mg/kg 0.5 ml I.V. once intraoperatively and a postoperative analgesic, i.e., Carprofen 2–4 mg/kg S.C. every 8 hourly for 3 days according to McGill SOP. The routine daily care was as per McGill SOP#524.01.

The feeding protocols were followed according to the university central animal house facility guidelines. The animals had a free access to water and feed. The sutures were removed after 7–10 days, and the wound was cleaned with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution.

The animals were euthanized at 6 weeks respectively. An overdose of pentobarbital sodium 1 ml/kg intravenously, under general anesthesia, was used for this purpose [47, 48].

The implants along with their surrounding bone were excised with a surgical saw right away following the euthanasia. The excess tissue was dissected and the specimens were removed en bloc with a margin of surrounding bone of about 5–10 mm. The specimens were immediately put into the 10% formaldehyde solution.