Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38618008›Full record

ReviewBone reports2024

Orthobiologics in delayed union and non-union of adult long bones fractures: A systematic review.

Lorenzo Impieri, Andrea Pezzi, Henrique Hadad, Giuseppe M Peretti, Laura Mangiavini, Nicolò Rossi

Open access · goldAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Bone reports, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
8.5field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 22 citations in OpenAlex.

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  7. Circulating CD38Scientific reports · 2026
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  18. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Treatment of Bone-Related Diseases.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Lorenzo ImpieriResidency Program in Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Andrea PezziResidency Program in Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Henrique HadadDepartment of Diagnosis and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo, Brazil.
Giuseppe M PerettiDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Laura MangiaviniDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Nicolò RossiResidency Program in Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
University of Milan · ITIstituto Clinico Sant'Ambrogio · ITUniversidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) · BR

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Fracture healing poses a significant challenge in orthopedics. Successful regeneration of bone is provided by mechanical stability and a favorable biological microenvironment. This systematic review aims to explore the clinical application of orthobiologics in treating aseptic delayed union and non-union of long bones in adults. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three databases were explored, with no date restrictions, using keywords related to orthobiologics and delayed union and non-union. Eligible studies included human clinical studies in English, with available full texts, examining orthobiologics such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs) for treating aseptic delayed unions and non-unions in adults. Animal studies, in vitro research, and studies on non-unions due to congenital defects, tumors or infections were excluded. Results: The initial search identified 9417 studies, with 20 ultimately included in the review. These studies involved 493 patients affected by non-union and 256 patients affected by delayed union, with an average age respectively of 40.62 years and 41.7 years. The mean follow-up period was 15.55 months for non-unions and 8.07 months for delayed unions. PRP was the most used orthobiologic, and outcomes were evaluated through time to union, functional scores, and clinical examinations. The results indicated that orthobiologics, especially PRP, tended to yield better outcomes compared to surgical procedures without biological factors. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that orthobiologics, such as PRP, BMPs, and MSCs, can be effective and safe in the management of delayed union and non-union fractures. These biological treatments have the potential to improve union rates, reduce healing times, and enhance functional outcomes in patients with non-union fractures. Further research is essential to refine treatment protocols and determine the most suitable orthobiologic for specific patient populations and fracture types.

Indexed as

Bone healingDelayed unionsFracturesNon-unionOrthobiologicsPRPPseudoartrosis

Identifiers

PMID38618008
PMCPMC11010966
OpenAlexW4394015472

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.