title: Heterotopic ossifications in midline abdominal scars: a critical review of the literature.
abstract: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of bone outside the skeletal system, including old incisions. Although a well-known complication after orthopaedic surgery, it is still considered an uncommon phenomenon after vascular surgery. Recent data, however, show that up to 25% of all patients develop HO after midline abdominal surgery. In this article, we present the case of a symptomatic HO, 7 years after an aortobiiliac prosthetic reconstruction for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Furthermore, we review current insights into the aetiology and show bone morphogenetic proteins to play a crucial role. Treatment options are also reviewed, but lacking any supportive evidence for other therapies, surgical excision with primary closure is the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P G L
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Koolen
authors.forename: M H F
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schreinemacher
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Peppelenbosch
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins