BOVINE BONE-GRAFTING IN OCCIPITOCERVICAL FUSION FOR ATLANTOAXIAL INSTABILITY IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Bovine bone chips (Surgibone(R)) were used in occipito-cervical fusion in nine patients with atlanto-axial instability due to rheumatoid art hritis. The patients were examined with CT 12-15 months after surgery. Graft resorbtion was observed in one patient. The other 8 patients sh owed preserved grafts, in most cases the grafts appeared to be in cont act with the underlying bone. One patient was revised, and at the graf ted site a bony bridge was found. In conclusion, the use of bovine chi ps in posterior occipito-cervical fusion will not lead to predictable bone union. However, there seem to be exceptions to that rule.