The Evolution of the Induced Membrane Technique

The induced membrane technique has gained popularity for management of critical-size bone defects. The 2-step procedure relies on a membrane which is induced by a transitory polymethylmethacrylate spacer put into the defect and whose properties allow the integration of a secondarily enclosed bone graft. Numerous fundamental studies have confirmed the biological role of the membrane which expressed several substances (growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells) favoring the osteointegration. Clinical indications have largely been extended to other nontraumatic etiologies of bone defect. The main questions which orientate the future directions are “What is the optimal time for performing the second step?” and “What could be the best combination between an induced membrane and the osteoinductive and osteoconductive material put inside the membrane?.” Henceforth, a wide field of researches is opened.