AUTHOR=Griffoni Cristiana , Tedesco Giuseppe , Canella Valentina , Nataloni Angelo , Zerbi Alberto , Tosini Giovanni , Gasbarrini Alessandro , Barbanti-Brodano Giovanni 

TITLE=Ceramic bone graft substitute (Mg-HA) in spinal fusion: A prospective pilot study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2022.1050495

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2022.1050495

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is considered the gold standard for spine surgical procedures to achieve a successful fusion due to its known osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. However, complications related to harvesting procedure and donor site morbidity have been largely reported in the literature, favoring the development of a wide range of alternative products to be used as bone graft extenders or substitutes for spine fusion. Among all, ceramic-based biomaterials have been widely studied and employed in the last years as bone graft substitutes.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> We report here the results of a prospective pilot study aimed to evaluating the grade of ossification obtained by the use of an Mg-doped hydroxyapatite (HA) product to achieve postero-lateral fusion in degenerative spine diseases.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Results show a successful degree of fusion of about 62% at the 12-month follow-up and an improvement of quality of life and health status following surgery, as evaluated by clinical scores (ODI, VAS, and EQ-5L). No adverse events related to the material were reported.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The present pilot study shows the effectiveness and the safety profile of an Mg-doped HA bone graft substitute used to achieve postero-lateral fusion in the treatment of degenerative spine diseases, laying down the basis for further larger clinical investigations.</p>