Radiographic and Histologic Comparison of Two Bioactive Glass Bone Void Fillers in a Rabbit Spinal Fusion Model

摘要

Bone graft substitutes and bone graft extenders have been routinely used for spine fusions for decades and have become an essential component in a number of orthopedic applications including spinal fusion. Bioactive glass ceramics have the ability to directly bind to bones and have been widely used as bone graft substitutes due to their high osteoconductivity and biocompatibility. The objective of this study was to compare the fusion rates of two bioactive glass containing bone void fillers (Nano FUSE and Nova Bone Putty) in a posterolateral fusion rabbit model. Nova Bone Putty and Nano FUSE alone and in combination with autograft were implanted in the posterior lateral intertransverse process region of the rabbit spine. The spines were evaluated for fusion of the L4-L5 transverse processes in skeletally mature rabbits. Radiographical and histological measurements demonstrated the ability of Nano FUSE to induce new bridging bone across the transverse processes. The material in combination with autograft performed much better than the material alone. In contrast, Nova Bone Putty did not induce bridging bone across the transverse processes at any time point. This in vivo study demonstrates the novel formulation of Nano FUSE, a bioactive glass combination with porcine gelatin, could be an effective bone graft extender in posterolateral spinal fusions.