Early findings in a pilot study of anterior cervical interbody fusion in which recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 was used with poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) bioabsorbable implants.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of bioabsorbable interbody spacers in cervical spine fusion.


METHODS
The authors report on a prospective examination of 20 patients with degenerative cervical disc disease who underwent anterior cervical fusion at 28 total levels. The authors used Infuse bone graft (that is, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 applied to an absorbable collagen sponge and contained within a Cornerstone-HSR bioabsorbable spacer. Multiple-level fusions were performed in 30% of these patients. At 3 months postfusion, radiographs and computerized tomography scans demonstrated bridging bone in 100% of the patients. Improvement from baseline scores in physical functioning, mental health, and bodily pain was demonstrated at 3 months postoperatively according to results of the Short Form-36 Version 2 health survey. There were no device-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The results in this series indicate that the use of Cornerstone-HSR as a bioabsorbable interbody spacer in combination with Infuse bone graft may be an alternative treatment for cervical spine fusion.
Lanman
Todd H
TH
California Spine Group, Century City Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Hopkins
Thomas J
TJ
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011091:Polyesters / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011091:Polyesters; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499469:recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2; C033616:poly(lactide)