PURPOSE:

Mandible reconstruction is varied and multifaceted. Reconstruction is made more complex when there is a bony defect that needs to be reconstituted. Traditional methods of bridging the bony defect such as bone graft and free fibula graft have high healing rates, but are time-consuming and associated with donor site morbidity. The use of osteoinductive protein recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) instead of bone grafts is a promising method of reconstruction.  This report demonstrates the use of (rhBMP-2) for mandible reconstruction in 8 patients.

METHOD: Mandible reconstruction using rhBMP-2 was done in 8 patients with bony defects secondary to trauma, mandibular augmentation and for distraction ostogenesis.  .   Patients were followed clinically and radiographically for evidence of bony union

RESULTS: Follow up CT scans and clinical exam showed  complete bony union of mandible defects in 7 patients. One distraction ostogenesis patient had non-union on one side requiring open reduction and internal fixation with rib graft and rhBMP-2.

CONCLUSION: The use of rhBMP-2 is an additional tool in the armenterium of the reconstructive surgeon due to its ease of use, lack of donor site morbidity and ability to reconstitute bony defects. Future research should focus on increasing the number of patients followed and demonstrating results after a longer period of time.