Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Uniportal Full Endoscopic Posterolateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Published on: June 6, 2025
The fusion rate of demineralized bone matrix compared with autogenous iliac bone graft for long multi-segment
Tsai-Sheng Fu1, I-Chun Wang2, Meng-Ling Lu3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Keelung, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. fts111@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Background:
Although autogenous iliac bone graft (AIBG) remains the gold standard for spine fusion, harvesting morbidity has prompted the search for alternatives especially for multi-segment fusion. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a substitute of AIBG for long instrumented posterolateral fusion (≧ three-level fusion).
Methods:
A total of 47 consecutive patients underwent laminectomy decompression, and multi-level instrumented posterolateral fusions were reviewed. Group 1 comprised 26 patients having DBM with autologous laminectomy bone (ALB). Group 2 consisted of 21 patients having AIBG with ALB. The fusion success evaluation was based on findings using the 12-month anteroposterior and dynamic plain radiographs.
Results:
Gender, age, and the number of fusion levels were similar for both groups. 21 of 26 (80.8%) patients in group 1 and 18 of 21 (85.7%) patients in group 2 were observed to achieve solid bony fusion. There was no statistical difference in the fusion success (p = 0.72). Blood loss was significantly more in group 2 (p = 0.02). The duration of the hospital stays and operative times being longer for group 2, but the difference was not significant.
Conclusions:
DBM combined with ALB and osteoconductive materials is as effective as an autologous iliac bone graft with respect to long multi-segment posterolateral fusion success. DBM can be used as an effective bone graft substitute and may decrease morbidities associated with iliac bone graft harvest.
