Can the use of a novel bone graft delivery system significantly increase the volume of bone graft material in a lumbar in situ cage, beyond volumes normally achieved via standard cage filling methodology? Results from a cadaveric pilot study.

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the use of a novel bone graft delivery system would lead to significantly higher volumes of intra-cage BGM, compared to traditional cage filling methodology. The senior author performed a LLIF on a cadaveric spine in a traditional manner, which included hand-packing the cages with BGM and then inserting them into prepared disc spaces. A CT scan was performed and all BGM cage volumes were calculated. Next, attempts were made to inject additional quantities of BGM into the in situ cages, via the novel delivery system. A second CT was performed and new cage volumes of BGM were calculated. Results demonstrated significantly higher cage volumes of BGM after the use of the bone graft delivery system (p = 0.014), compared to those volumes achieved with standard cage packing methodology. This first of its kind study suggests the use of a novel bone graft delivery system will significantly increase cage volumes of BGM which potentially may lead to increase rates of arthrodesis and improved clinical outcomes.
Source: Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research