Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on spinal pseudarthrosis created by nicotine administration: a model of lumbar posterolateral pseudarthrosis in rabbits.

Objectives: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) can enhance spinal fusion and fracture healing; however, its effect on spinal pseudarthrosis has not been reported in the literature. We hypothesized that low-intensity pulsed US could overcome spinal pseudarthrosis created by nicotine administration.

Methods: Thirty-two rabbits underwent posterolateral fusion with an iliac bone graft and nicotine administration. At 5 weeks, the spines were examined by computed tomography (CT) to determine the presence of pseudarthrosis. All rabbits with pseudarthrosis were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D according to treatment: no second graft, iliac autograft only, low-intensity pulsed US only, and iliac autograft and low-intensity pulsed US, respectively. At 10 weeks, the rabbits were euthanized, and the specimens were assessed with radiography, CT, manual palpation, and histologic analysis.

Results: One rabbit was lost because of severe infection. Twenty-seven (87%) had pseudarthrosis on CT at 5 weeks. On manual palpation at 10 weeks, the fusion rates were 0%, 29%, 0%, and 57% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Group D had highest radiographic scores (mean ± SD, 2.87 ± 0.92), and the difference was statistically significant compared to the other groups (P < .001). Computed tomography confirmed that group D had the most fused segments at 10 weeks. Histologic specimens from group D also showed the most mature bone formation inside the fusion mass.

Conclusions: Low-intensity pulsed US can enhance spinal fusion but cannot overcome spinal pseudarthrosis created by nicotine administration. Stopping nicotine consumption or administering a more powerful bone substitute might be an alternative method for overcoming spinal pseudarthrosis.