title: Reliability of the rabbit postero-lateral spinal fusion model: A meta-analysis.
abstract: The rabbit model of spinal fusion with the autogenous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) control is widely used to evaluate bone graft substitutes and enhancers. This study examined the reliability of this model using meta-analysis. A systematic literature search from January 1995 to May 2011 identified 56 studies, involving 733 animals. The primary outcome was fusion success calculated as logit event rate. Study design, surgical technique, rabbit characteristics (gender, species, age, weight), and institution were analyzed. Overall fusion success was 52.4%. Important positive variables were time-point >4 weeks, ICBG dose >1 cm(3) , initial weight of animals ≥3 kg, level at L4-5 or L5-6, and age ≥6 months. Inter- and intra-institutional reliability was excellent. The rabbit model ICBG control group is reliable, although several factors can affect results. Fusion under normal handling occurs reliably in 5 weeks. The volume of bone graft should be >1 cm(3) but no benefits are present with >2 cm(3) . The animals should weigh a minimum of 3 kg and be at least 6 months old.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, UWMFCB 6215, 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Riordan
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rangarajan
authors.forename: Joshua W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Balts
authors.forename: Wellington K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration; D011817:Rabbits; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome