title: Paraspinal muscle vasculature contributes to posterolateral spinal fusion.
abstract: METHODS
  Study of posterolateral fusions in a rabbit model.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the contribution of paraspinal musculature to the healing of posterolateral spinal fusions in a rabbit model.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have demonstrated that successful spinal arthrodesis requires vascular ingrowth from adjacent decorticated bone. In other areas of the body, such as the tibia, vascular ingrowth from the surrounding musculature has also been shown to be important. The role of the surrounding paraspinal musculature in spinal fusions has yet to be assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five New Zealand white rabbits underwent posterolateral spinal fusion. One side of the animals was treated with autograft alone and served as the control group. On the contralateral side, the autograft was contained within porous or nonporous barrier sheets. Following euthanization, high-resolution radiographs, CT scans, and histologic analyses were performed to assess fusion and characterize vascular ingrowth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using histologic evaluation, the fusion rate in the porous group was 90%, in the nonporous group 40%, and in the control group 55%. Vascular ingrowth was evident from the muscle through the porous sheet into the fusion mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support our hypothesis that the paraspinal musculature provides important vascular ingrowth into the fusion site. Use of a porous barrier sheet appears to improve fusion by preventing muscle interposition while allowing vascular ingrowth from surrounding muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
authors.forename: Maneesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bawa
authors.forename: Aimee L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Schimizzi
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leek
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bono
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Massie
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hargens
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Garfin
authors.forename: Choll W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*