title: Bone Union Rate Following Instrumented Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion: Comparison between Demineralized Bone Matrix versus Hydroxyapatite.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the union rate of posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) versus hydroxyapatite (HA) as bone graft extender.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  To our knowledge, there has been no clinical trial to compare the outcomes of DBM versus HA as a graft material for PLF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed prospectively collected data from consecutive 79 patients who underwent instrumented PLF. Patients who received DBM were assigned to group B (n=38), and patients who received HA were assigned into group C (n=41). The primary study outcome was fusion rate assessed with radiographs. The secondary outcomes included pain intensity using a visual analogue scale, functional outcome using Oswestry disability index score, laboratory tests of inflammatory profiles and infection rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year postoperatively, bone fusion was achieved in 73% in group B and 58% in group C without significant difference between the groups (p=0.15). There were no differences between the groups with respect to secondary outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DBM would provide noninferior outcomes compared to the HA as a fusion material for PLF, and could be a notable alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jemin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi
keywords: Demineralized bone matrix; Hydroxyapatites; Posterolateral lumbar fusion