Bio-Derived Apatite As a Bone Graft for Vertebral Trauma

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Fusion
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Traumatic spinal injuries necessitate posterior fixation and fusion, often using iliac crest autograft (ICBG).
• ICBG carries risks of donor site morbidity and increased surgical duration.
• Bone graft substitutes (BGS) present a potential alternative, but data on their use in trauma is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BGS in posterolateral fusion (PLF) for vertebral trauma.
• To compare fusion rates and surgical outcomes between BGS and traditional autograft methods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 27 consecutive patients undergoing PLF for spine trauma using a bovine-derived apatite BGS.
• Radiographic assessment of fusion at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months by an independent orthopedic surgeon.

Main Results:

• Achieved a radiographically observed fusion rate of 85% and a successful treatment rate of 92%.
• No adverse events were associated with the BGS.
• Patients receiving BGS with ICBG had significantly longer surgery times compared to other groups.

Conclusions:

• BGS demonstrates comparable spondylodesis rates to ICBG in PLF for traumatic spine injuries.
• BGS is a viable adjunct for traumatic vertebral injuries, potentially reducing surgery time and healthcare costs.
• The use of BGS can shorten operative time by eliminating the need for autograft harvesting, beneficial for minimizing surgical duration or when autograft is scarce.