H. Saveland et al., BOVINE BONE-GRAFTING IN OCCIPITOCERVICAL FUSION FOR ATLANTOAXIAL INSTABILITY IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, Acta neurochirurgica, 127(3-4), 1994, pp. 186-190
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.