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Introduction Heterotopic ossification (HO), also known as myositis ossification, paraosteoarthropathy, or heterotopic calcification, among others, is a common pathological condition that refers to ectopic bone formation in soft tissues. Although the molecular mechanism of HO is not fully understood, it is believed that signaling of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) plays a key role in the overall process of HO. Today, recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) and recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) have been already actively used in clinical practice in the treatment of bone defects. However, despite the positive sides of using rhBMPs, there are a number of side effects, one of which is HO. Purpose In this study, we demonstrate cases of HO following the use of rhBMPs in both clinical and preclinical studies and make an attempt to explain the relationship between the signaling pathways of BMPs and the HO process, as well as the possibilities of preventing and treating the HO process. Materials and methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Database, and Google Scholar were comprehensively searched for original articles, literature reviews, case reports, and meta-analyses demonstrating a causal relationship between therapeutic rhBMPs and HO as a complication. Results This review analyzes the potential for therapeutic use of rhBMPs in neurosurgery and traumatology and orthopedics, demonstrated by both clinical and preclinical studies. In particular, the studies confirm that ectopic bone formation is one of the side effects following administration of rhBMPs. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms of the HO process were highlighted, and the possibilities of modern methods of prevention and treatment of HO were discussed. Conclusion According to the FDA safety database for rhBMPs, the rates of adverse effects related to HO range from 1 % to 10 %. However, to date, the clinical use of rhBMPs is justified, especially when there are no alternative substitutes for bone grafting.

Bone reconstruction aft er trauma, infection, tumour or congenital genetic disorder is an important subject of modern medicine usually relying on bone graft ing materials. Autologous bone or autograft is still considered the “gold standard” most eff ective in bone defect reconstruction and osseous regeneration. Having the advantages of autograft ing, a series of issues remain related to a limited donor material, painful graft taking and the risk of putative complications (nonunions, graft rejection, infection, iatrogenic fractures, post-microsurgery arteriovenous shunt thrombosis, etc.). Th erefore, improved biomaterials are demanded to adequately meet the autograft criteria. Choosing optimal graft materials becomes relevant, aside to the rationale of selecting new surgical techniques. Th e osteoconductive and osteoinductive property evaluation in modern osteoplastic materials comprises a research avenue into optimal graft development for osseous correction in maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, traumatology and orthopaedics. Such biomaterials can be combined with alloplastic graft s to attain the required properties of osteoconduction, osteoinduction and osteogenesis. Th is analytic literature review focuses on current state-of-the-art in alloplastic graft ing that, in our opinion, grounds the progress of auto- and allograft innovative development.

Background The aim of this study was to explore the role of three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy in surgical management of metastatic disease of the dorsal and lumbar spine. Methods This is a prospective study on 33 patients (15 men and 18 women, mean age of 61.6 ± 8.9 years) with biopsy-proven metastatic disease of the spine managed by sequential/staged posterior decompression-stabilization, followed by 3D endoscopy-assisted anterior corpectomy and stabilization with a mesh cage. All patients had significant extradural compression or spinal instability or both. Sixteen patients had neurological deficits. Visual analog scale (VAS), Frenkel grade (neurological deficits), Karnofsky performance status scale, and the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) were used for assessment preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months from surgery. Results At a mean follow-up of 1.7 ± 0.7 years from surgery, 18 patients were alive. VAS showed significant improvement at the latest follow-up compared to preoperative levels (4.39 vs. 6.61, p = 0.001). Karnofsky status did not show any significant improvement. Frenkel grade improved in 5 patients, deteriorated in 4 patients, and remained unchanged in 24 patients. Regarding SF-36 parameters, general health showed deterioration, but role functioning—physical, role functioning—emotional, social functioning, and body pain showed statistically significant improvement. There was no change in physical health, viability, and mental health. Subjectively the surgeons felt better depth perception and smoother surgical experience with the 3D optics technology. The only complication was delayed wound healing in three patients who had a previous history of radiotherapy to the surgical site. Conclusions 3D endoscopy is a valuable tool in the management of metastatic spinal disease requiring excision and reconstruction using the combined posterior and anterior approaches. These early results warrant confirmation with more data and longer follow-ups.

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