title: Fresh-frozen femoral head allograft as lumbar interbody graft material allows high fusion rate without subsidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Circumferential lumbar spinal fusion is widely used to increase fusion rate, but little data is available using fresh-frozen femoral head allograft (FFFHA) as a structural interbody graft alternative.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Circumferential lumbar arthrodesis using FFFHA as interbody graft material could be an alternative to achieve interbody fusion without graft subsidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 47 patients (56 levels) treated with lumbar circumferential fusion using FFFHA as interbody material. Consolidation was independently assessed by the two authors using a 3-type scale; interbody bone graft subsidence was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four of the 47 patients (93.6%), and 53 of the 56 levels (94.6%) obtained consolidation, without differences between smokers and nonsmokers. Three levels (in three patients) did not fuse; one of them (2.1%) required revision. No patient presented graft dislodgment, signs of infection or graft subsidence at the last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FFFHA use as lumbar interbody graft in circumferential arthrodesis exhibited a 94% fusion rate, without graft subsidence. FFFHA may be considered a valid alternative to achieve interbody fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV. Retrospective study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Marcoleta 352, Santiago, Chile. jurrutia@med.puc.cl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Urrutia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molina
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome