title: Spinal fusion with demineralized calf fetal growth plate as novel biomaterial in rat model: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal fusions are being performed for various pathologies of the spine such as degenerative diseases, deformities, tumors and fractures. Recently, other bone substitutes such as demineralized bone matrix (DBM) have been developed for spinal fusion. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the intertransverse posterolateral fusion with the Bovine fetal growth plate (DCFGP) and compare it with commercial DBM in rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 mature male rats (aged 4 months and weighing 200-300 g) were randomly divided in two groups. After a skin incision on posterolateral site, two separate fascial incisions were made 3 mm from the midline. A muscle-splitting approach was used to expose the transverse processes of L4 and L5. Group I (n = 8) underwent with implanted Bovine fetal growth plate among decorticated transverse processes. In group II (n = 8) commercial DBM was placed in the same manner. Fusion was evaluated by manual palpation, radiographical, gross and histopathological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The manual palpation, radiological, gross and histopathological findings indicate high potential of the DCFGP in spinal fusion. At the 42nd postoperative day, new bone formation as evidenced by a bridge between L4 and L5 was visualized in all rats implanted with DCFGP and commercial DBM. The newly formed bone tissue was observed in all implanted areas on the 42nd day after operation in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spinal fusion of the animals of both groups demonstrated more advanced osteogenic potential and resulted in proper fusion of the transverse process of lumbar vertebra.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bigham-Sadegh
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oryan
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shafiei-Sarvestani
keywords: DBM; DCFGP; rat; spinal fusion