Lumbar posterolateral fusion with bioactive ceramic granule and autogenouslocal bone grafts

摘要

Since 1994, a bioactive apatite- and wollastonite-containing glass-ceramic (AW-GC) granule in combination with autogenous local bone grafts obtained after neural decompression was utilized for lumbar posterolateral fusion in thirty-five patients with low back disorders with instability. The average age at surgery was 58 years, ranging from 20 to 73. The follow-up period was from 24 to 47 months with an average of 38 months. Posterior spinal instrumentation and fibrin glue were simultaneously used in all patients. Excellent neurologic recovery was obtained and maintained in every patient. A rigid primary fusion was obtained in 34 of 35 patients (97percent). Screw breakage occurred in two patients (one patient had pseudoarthrosis). Transient palsy of lateral femoral cutaneus nerve was found in three patients. No other postoperative complication was observed in any patient. The results of this surgical procedure were as excellent as those of the conventional lumbar posterolateral fusion with autogenous iliac bone were. The use of AW-GC granule with a combination of autogenous local bone grafts was beneficial for posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine.