An implant of a composite of bovine bone morphogenetic protein and plaster of paris for treatment of femoral shaft nonunions.

Sixteen patients with nonunion of femoral shaft fractures were treated by implantation of a composite of bovine bone morphogenetic protein and plaster of Paris (bBMP/PLP). There was an average of 1.5 surgical procedures per patient attempting union prior to bBMP/PLP implantation The implant was prepared in an aggregate of 50 mg bBMP in 1 gram of plaster of Paris. It was implanted directly to fill the fracture gaps and packed around the fracture lines. Seventeen operations were done on the 16 patients. Union was obtained in 16 of the 17 operations. The average time of union for the 16 successful operations was 5.7 months. There were no significant clinically manifested postoperative complications.