title: Evaluation of autologous platelet concentrate for intertransverse lumbar fusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to analyze if the adding of autologous platelet concentrate (APC) to a mixture of local autograft plus tricalcium phosphate and hidroxiapatite (TCP/HA) would improve the fusion rate in posterolateral lumbar fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, controlled, blinded, non-randomized clinical trial was carried out in 107 patients affected by degenerative lumbar pathology. The study group consisted of 67 patients, in which autologous platelet concentration was added to a mixture of autologous local bone graft and TCP/HA. A control group of 40 patients with same pathology and surgical technique but without APC addition was used to compare the fusion mass obtained. By means of plain X-rays, a blinded evaluation of the intertransverse fusion mass quality at twelve and twenty-four months was made according to type A (bilateral uniform mass), type B (unilateral uniform mass) and type C (irregular or lack bilateral mass). Patients with type C were regarded as pseudoarthrosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study group 17 patients had lack or irregular fusion mass (25.4%) versus three patients in the control group (7.5%), which was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the adding of autologous platelet concentration to a mixture of autologous bone graft plus TCP/HA has decreased our rates of posterolateral lumbar fusion.
authors.affiliation: Spine Unit, Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma Department, Cabueñes Hospital, Gijon, Asturias, Spain. g.acebal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acebal-Cortina
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Suárez-Suárez
authors.forename: Constantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Menéndez
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moro-Barrero
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Colao
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres-Pérez
mesh_terms: D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017886:Durapatite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D017886:Durapatite; C018392:tricalcium phosphate