title: Reconstruction of Vertebral Bone Defects using an Expandable Replacement Device and Bioactive Glass S53P4 in the Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Three Patients and Three Pathogens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bioactive glass S53P4 is an antibacterial bone substitute with bone-bonding and osteostimulative properties. The bone substitute has been successfully used clinically in spine; trauma; orthopedic; ear, nose, and throat; and cranio-maxillofacial surgeries. Bioactive glass S53P4 significantly reduces the amount of bacteria in vitro and possesses the capacity to kill both planktonic bacteria and bacteria in biofilm. Three patients with severe spondylodiscitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida tropicalis, or Staphylococcus aureus were operatively treated due to failed conservative treatment. The vertebral defects were reconstructed using bioactive glass S53P4 and an expandable replacement device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Decompression and a posterolateral spondylodesis, using transpedicular fixation, were performed posteriorly in combination with an anterior decompression and reconstruction using an expandable vertebral body replacement device. For patients 1 and 2, the expander was covered with bioactive glass S53P4 only, and for patient 3, the glass was mixed with autograft bone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients healed well with complete neurological recovery. Fusion was observed for all patients. The total follow-up was 4 years for patient 1, 1 year and 8 months for patient 2, and 2 years and 2 months for patient 3. No relapses or complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antibacterial properties of bioactive glass S53P4 also make it a suitable bone substitute in the treatment of severe spondylodiscitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kankare
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Lindfors
keywords: Bioactive glass; expandable replacement device; fusion; spondylodiscitis; vertebral osteomyelitis