Application of purified bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) preparations in cranio-maxillofacial surgery
This article reports the findings of five cases of reconstruction in craniofacial malformations of the skull using lyophilized cartilage and BMP. BMP induces angiogenesis in vivo and it is speculated by the authors that it helps the implants establish a rich nutritive vascular network supporting definitive whole-thickness implant survival. BMP was obtained from bovine bone and applied as a paste containing 1 mg of purified BMP per cm3 and granular human bone matrix and added to a rehydrating buffer of Lyophilized cartilage or Lyophilized bone. The application of a plywood-like composite of Lyophilized cartilage and BMP paste resulted in early consolidation of various whole-thickness calvarial bone defects and restoration of contour depressions. Lyo cartilage untreated with BMP in craniofacial defects shows first radiological signs of calcification not before 10 to 12 months after grafting with BMP, mineralization is often already visible on X rays one to two months after operation. The authors are waiting for the long-term results of these surgeries they are reporting at the one-year marker now. [D.R.H.]
Sailer, H., and E. Kolb, J Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surg, 22:191, 1994