Summary
A Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) presented with comminuted, proximal diaphyseal fractures of the left radius and ulna
which were repaired with a type II acrylic external fixateur and intramedullary pin,
respectively. The external fixateur was removed six weeks postoperatively as the antebrachium
was stable despite radiographic evidence that the radial fracture had failed to completely
heal. Eight months postoperatively, radiographic examination revealed a nonunion fracture
of the proximal radial diaphysis. The nonunion fracture was stabilised with a miniplate
and screws, and osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) (bone morphogenetic protein-7) was inserted
to augment bony union. Radiographic evidence of fracture healing was present four
weeks postoperatively. Bone morphogenetic proteins, in particular OP-1, can be used
as a substitute for autogenous cancellous bone if there is an insufficient quantity
of cancellous bone or harvesting will result in unacceptable morbidity.
Osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1 or bone morphogenetic protein 7) was used in the management
of a nonunion fracture of the radius in a Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis). Osteogenic protein-1 was used in preference to autogenous cancellous bone as the
small size of the monkey would have limited the quantity of cancellous bone and predisposed
to morbidity at the harvest site. This is the first report of the clinical use of
OP-1 in veterinary surgery.
Keywords
Osteogenic protein-1 - bone morphogenetic proteins - nonunion fracture
