Bone morphogenetic protein in pediatric spine fusion surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature describing the use of bone graft substitutes to achieve fusion in the pediatric spine. Outcomes and complications involving the off-label use of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in the pediatric spine are not clearly defined. The purpose of this study is to review the existing literature with respect to reported outcomes and complications involving the use of low-dose BMP-2 in pediatric patients. METHODS: A Medline and PubMed literature search was conducted using the words bone morphogenetic protein, BMP, rh-BMP-2, bone graft substitutes, and pediatric spine. RESULTS: To date, there are few published reports on this topic. Complications and appropriate BMP-2 dosage application in the pediatric spine remain unknown. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the potential for BMP-2 to achieve successful arthrodesis of the spine in pediatric patients. Usage should be judicious as complications and long-term outcomes of pediatric BMP-2 usage remain undefined in the existing literature.