Guided Bone Regeneration in Comminuted Long-Bone Fractures Using Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and a Collagen Membrane

Abstract

A dog aged two years and seven months and a cat aged seven years were referred owing to fractures of long bones. Preoperative radiographs revealed comminuted bone fractures close to joints. Conventionally, long-bone fractures are treated using intramedullary pins, plate and screw systems, or an external fixator system. In cases of non-reducible fractures, various graft materials have been used in fracture treatments to stimulate bone repair. Here, recom-binant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and a collagen membrane were applied. Four weeks after surgery, fractured bone fragments began to unite and the bone union was observed using radiography four months after surgery. No complications occurred related to grafted materials. We successfully applied rhBMP-2 and collagen membranes in two different species to support the healing process of comminuted fractures, according to the concept of guided bone regeneration.