• J S Thalgott, J M Giuffre, K Fritts, M Timlin, and Z Klezl.
• International Spinal Development and Research Foundation, 600 South Rancho Drive, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA. spine@spine-research.org
• Spine J. 2001 Mar 1; 1 (2): 131-7.

Background ContextAutogenous posterolateral fusion with and without instrumentation has been reported with good results. However, difficult-to-fuse patients, such as smokers, elderly patients with poor bone quality and/or quantity, or patients with prior posterior surgeries, may have somewhat lower fusion rates.PurposeTo determine the efficacy of coralline hydroxyapatite with or without demineralized bone matrix as a bone graft extender in a human clinical model with long-term follow-up.Study Design/SettingA retrospective series of 40 patients undergoing instrumented autogenous posterolateral lumbar fusion augmented with coralline hydroxyapatite with or without demineralized bone matrix.Patient SampleLong-term clinical and radiographic follow-up were examined for 40 patients who underwent an instrumented posterolateral fusion only. Patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures were not considered part of the sample.MethodsAll patients underwent successful transpedicular fixation with autogenous posterolateral lumbar fusion. Fifteen cc of Pro Osteon 500 coralline hydroxyapatite (Interpore Cross International, Irvine, CA) was used at each level. An additional 10 cc of Grafton demineralized bone matrix gel (Osteotech, Eatontown, NJ) was used in 70% of these patients.ResultsAn overall fusion rate of 92.5% was achieved. Pain and function improvement were good but somewhat age dependent and correlated with the number of comorbidities. Patients with Grafton DBM gel had a lower fusion rate of 89.3%.ConclusionsBased on this small retrospective review, coralline hydroxyapatite is an effective bone graft extender in difficult-to-fuse patients as an adjunct to autologous bone for posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine when combined with rigid instrumentation.

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