Macroporous calcium phosphate ceramic: A prospective study of 106 cases inlumbar spinal fusion

Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (MBCP, Triosite(TM)) is well known f or its safety absence of allergenicity, and excellent bone-bonding capacity , and it has been widely used as a bone graft substitute in orthopaedic, EN T, and dental surgery. This study investigates the clinical performance of this synthetic porous ceramic in a series of 106 patients, mainly with dege nerative spine aetiologies (95/106) and with a minimum follow-up of 2 years . AU patients were treated with posterior correction involving the semi-rig id New Orleans(TM) instrumentation. Spinal fusion was always performed usin g MBCP granules mixed with autogenous bone chips and bone marrow obtained f rom the local spine. Fusion of the spine was confirmed for 100 patients, an d 6 non-unions were observed (3 resulting from primary spondylolisthesis). This study shows that MBCP provides suitable results in spinal fusion invol ving a semi-rigid instrumentation. Because the indication of degenerative s pine is not very favorable to fusion, this technique appears to be a good a lternative to autografts and could decrease patient morbidity resulting fro m iliac bone grafting.