The efficacy of porous hydroxyapatite bone chip as an extender of local bone graft in posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a synthetic bone chip made of porous hydroxyapatite can effectively extend local decompressed bone graft in instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).

METHODS

130 patients, 165 segments, who had undergone PLIF with cages and instrumentation for single or double level due to degenerative conditions, were investigated retrospectively by independent blinded observer. According to the material of graft, patients were divided into three groups. HA group (19 patients, 25 segments): with hydroxyapatite bone chip in addition to autologous local decompressed bone, IBG group (25 patients, 28 segments): with autologous iliac crest bone graft in addition to local decompressed bone and LB group (86 patients, 112 segments): with local decompressed bone only. Radiologic and clinical outcome were compared among groups and postoperative complications, transfusion, time and cost of operation and duration of hospitalization were also investigated.

RESULTS

Radiologic fusion rate and clinical outcome were not different. Economic cost, transfusion and hospital stay were also similar. But operation time was significantly longer in IBG group than in other groups. There were no lasting complications associated with HA and LB group with contrast to five cases with persisting donor site pain in IBG group.

CONCLUSION

Porous hydroxyapatite bone chip is a useful bone graft extender in PLIF when used in conjunction with local decompressed bone.