A poly(propylene glycol-co-fumaric acid) based bone graft extender for lumbar spinal fusion: in vivo assessment in a rabbit model.
METHODS
An animal model of posterolateral intertransverse process lumbar spinal fusion compared fusion rates amongst autologous bone (group 1), a porous, bioabsorbable, scaffold based on the biopolymer, poly(propylene glycol-co-fumaric acid) (PPF) (group 2), and a combination of autograft and the bioabsorbable scaffold (group 3).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of augmenting spinal fusion with an osteoconductive and bioabsorbable scaffold as an alternative or as an adjunct, i.e., an extender, to autograft.


BACKGROUND
There is little preclinical data on applications of bioabsorable bone graft extenders in spinal fusion.


METHODS
New Zealand White rabbits underwent single-level lumbar posterolateral intertransverse process fusion. Animals were treated with one of three materials: autologous bone (group 1), a bioabsorable material based on PPF (group 2), and the PPF biopolymer scaffold with autologous bone graft (group 3). Animals were evaluated at 6 weeks, and fusion was evaluated by manual palpation, and radiographic, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses.


RESULTS
Radiographic and manual palpation showed evidence of fusion in all three groups. Histomorphometric measurement of bone ingrowth showed the highest quantity of new bone in group 3 (91%), followed by group 1 (72%) and group 2 (53%).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study suggested that osteoconductive bioabsorbable scaffolds prepared from PPF might be used as an autograft extender when applied as an adjunct to spinal fusion.
Hile
David D
DD
Cambridge Scientific Inc., MA, USA. hiledd@yahoo.com
Kandziora
Frank
F
Lewandrowski
Kai-Uwe
KU
Doherty
Stephen A
SA
Kowaleski
Michael P
MP
Trantolo
Debra J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011108:Polymers; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C106431:poly(propylene glycol-fumarate)