Two-year outcome of hydroxyapatite mixed with autogenous bone marrow and local bone graft for posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Objective: To determine the outcome of hydroxyapatite (HA) mixed with autogenous bone marrow (BM) and local bone graft in posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Material And Method: Twenty-three patients who had posterolateral fusion with posterior instrument using HA mixed with BM and local bone graft between December 2003 and August 2005 were prospective analyzed. Degree of pain using visual analog scale (VAS) was evaluated at preoperative and 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 postoperative months. Radiographs were assessed for spinal fusion at 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 postoperative months.

Results: The improvement of pain was demonstrated in all patients postoperatively. Radiographic outcomes revealed solid and doubtful fusion in one of 23 patients (4.3%) and 13 of 23 patients (56.5%) at six months respectively. After two-year follow-up, one patient had solid fusion while 22 patients (95.6%) had doubtful fusion.

Conclusion: Despite the posterolateral lumbar fusion using HA mixed with BM and local bone graft provided good clinical results, the radiographic results of spinal fusion were questionable in most cases.