Enhancement of difficult nonunion in children with osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1): early experience.
Numerous studies have described the use of osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) in adults, but there are few reports in children. The objectives of this short-term followup cohort study were (1) to examine clinical and radiographic healing of persistent nonunions after OP-1 application in children; and (2) to determine the safety of OP-1 use in this sample. Clinical healing was defined by absence of pain and tenderness at the nonunion site and the ability to fully weight bear on the affected limb. Radiographic healing was determined by bony bridging of the nonunion site in at least one view. Safety was defined as the absence of major adverse events, including allergic reactions, infections, local inflammatory reactions, and heterotopic ossification. OP-1 was used in 19 patients who had an operative procedure for the bridging of persistent nonunions between 1999 and 2007. The mean age was 11.6 years (range, 4.8-20.3 years). Thirteen patients had persistent nonunion after one or more previous surgeries, prior to the initial OP-1 application. A single dose of 3.5 mg of OP-1 mixed with 1 g of Type I bovine collagen was applied to 23 sites of 19 patients. Three patients received additional OP-1 applications. Healing occurred clinically and radiographically in 17 of the 23 sites. Complications included four superficial pin site infections, one deep infection, and two fractures. No major local adverse event related to OP-1 application was noted in our sample. Our findings suggest OP-1 stimulates healing of persistent nonunions without major adverse events in our patient population.


METHODS
Level IV, case series. See the guidelines online for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Dohin
Bruno
B
Shriners Hospital for Children, Pediatric Orthopaedic Department, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Université Lyon 1, Lyon-Bron 69500, France.
Dahan-Oliel
Noémi
N
Fassier
François
F
Hamdy
Reggie
R
D000293:Adolescent; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024042:Collagen Type I; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult
D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004337:Drug Carriers