[Prefabrication of vascularized bone flap using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)]

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Context:

• Bone defects pose significant challenges in reconstructive surgery.
• Existing bone grafting techniques have limitations, including donor site morbidity and limited availability.
• The development of methods to generate vascularized, shaped bone is crucial for effective skeletal reconstruction.

Purpose:

• To investigate the potential of using a neurovascular bundle combined with collagen scaffolds and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to create newly vascularized and shaped bone.
• To evaluate the osteoinductive capacity of rhBMP-2 in promoting bone formation within a defined shape using a rat model.

Summary:

• Silicone molds containing collagen sheets with or without rhBMP-2 were used to shape bone around the superficial inferior epigastric neurovascular bundle in Wistar rats.
• Experimental groups received rhBMP-2, while control groups did not, and some experimental groups had the neurovascular bundle ligated.
• Bone formation was assessed macroscopically, radiologically, and histologically at 2 and 4 weeks post-operation.

Impact:

• This study successfully demonstrated the creation of newly vascularized and shaped bone by applying an osteoinductive factor to a neurovascular bundle.
• The results indicate that the superficial inferior epigastric artery actively supplied the newly formed bone.
• The developed experimental model shows therapeutic potential for effective bone reconstruction, offering a promising strategy for addressing bone defects.