Evolution of Postoperative Edema in Alveolar Graft Performed with Bone Morphogenetic Protein (rhBMP-2)

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the evolution of facial edema in the postoperative period after alveolar graft surgeries performed with collagen membrane soaked with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in individuals with cleft lip and palate. Design Longitudinal prospective. Setting Tertiary craniofacial center. Participants One hundred fifty individuals submitted to alveolar graft. Interventions In the preoperative consultation and 4 days after surgery, the individuals were assessed as to age, professional performing the surgery, duration of the procedure, type of cleft, measurement of facial edema, mouth opening, and global evaluation of the postoperative period. Main Outcome Measures Statistical analysis was performed to compare the facial edema and different variables, at a significance level of .05. Results The maximum facial edema occurred between 3 and 4 days postoperatively, was inversely proportional to age and mouth opening, greater for female patients compared with male patients, for incomplete unilateral cleft lip and palate compared with other types of clefts, and for surgeon 1 compared with the other surgeons at some moment postoperatively. The surgeries were longer for complete unilateral and bilateral clefts. The difference was statistically significant for these variables. Conclusions The facial edema was influenced by the rhBMP-2 used in alveolar graft, and trismus was proportional to the intensity of facial edema.