Healing of segmental ulnar defects in dog using bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement added with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2

Bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement (BCPC) cylinders soaked with 100 mug of rhBMP-2 were implanted into 21 mm segmental ulnar defects in dogs. New bone induced around cylinders united both bone segments in 3 weeks. As the cylinder dissolved, the induced bone was remodeled into the compact bone by 9 weeks. However, the cement cylinder implanted without BMP did not dissolve and that defect did not recover bone continuity in 9 weeks. Mechanical test at 9 weeks showed that the BMP group achieved 71 % union and 63 % of bone strength compared to normal ulna. However, other two groups, the implantation of the cylinder alone and no implantation, did not unite any case. The implantation of thin cylinders of BCPC soaked with small amount of rhBMP-2 repaired large bone defects of high mammal fast. Added with more BMP, it will be possible to apply this biocompatible composite even in clinical cases.