Abstract :
A pilot study in adult male Macaca fascicularis (rhesus) monkeys was undertaken to observe the effect of two dose ranges of recombinant human BMP-2 on bone regeneration following bilateral hemimandibulectomies. The mandibulectomies consisted of 2.2 centimeter resections through the entire thickness of the mandible with the remaining bone segments maintained in a distracted position by orthopaedic mesh (TiMesh). In three animals, the dose range on one mandibulectomy site in each animal was 0.8 mg BMP-2 per cc with the contralateral defect receiving 0.2 mg of the rhBMP-2. The carrier was a collagen I sponge (Helsitat). These animals were sacrificed at five months post-operatively. In an additional four animals, a dose of 0.4 mg per cc was used on one site with a particulate autogenous graft of cortical cancellous bone used as a control on the contralateral defect. After four months, the reconstructed areas were re-exposed and implanted with root-form Steri-oss implants (Steri-oss). These implants were brought into occlusion at the end of an additional four month period and are being evaluated for a period of 6 months of function. In all seven animals, the alveolar ridges were regenerated completely with restoration of contour and cortical bone.
