Heterotopic bone formation in abdominal incisions

Heterotopic bone formation in vertical abdominal wounds is a not infrequent and sometimes disabling complication of abdominal surgery, occurring predominantly in males. Excision of the bone is indicated only for marked discomfort or pain, usually produced by an active lifestyle. Under these circumstances, recurrence of bone following excision, would be highly undesirable and the prophylactic use of etidronate disodium may well be indicated to prevent new bone formation, as demonstrated by one of our cases (Case 8).