PRODUCTS USED FOR LUMBAR FUSION IN SPINE SURGERY: FACT SHEET
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP's) - A group of growth factors which induce the formation of bone. These factors are naturally occurring in the body and are genetically engineered by recombinant DNA technology.
• Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) - Type of BMP which stimulates repair and regeneration of bone.
Vitoss™- A synthetic bone graft substitute. It is composed of beta-tricalcium phosphate and has been shown to repair bone defects. Beta-tricalcium phosphate is a natural material consisting of calcium and phosphorus. It is designed to resemble bone.
OsteoMatrix™- A mineral-collagen matrix bone graft material which is combined with the patient?s bone marrow. It is a bone graft sponge that retains and attracts cells and growth factors at the fusion site.
"PEEK" cage - Type of plastic cage or "spacer." PEEK stands for polyetheretherketone. It is used in both lumbar and cervical fusions as a spacer inside the disc space once the disc has been removed during surgery.
Bone Marrow Aspirate - Using a bone biopsy needle, bone marrow is removed from the patients iliac crest during surgery. The bone marrow is an effective osteogenic graft which contains osteoblastic progenitor stem cells. Basically, it contains cells which have the capacity to form bone.
The bone marrow is combined with the patients own morselized bone (removed during the laminectomy portion of the surgery), Vitoss™, and OP-1 to make a "putty." This "putty" is placed to the front of the cage, inside the cage as well as along the transverse processes to create one solid bony fusion between two vertebrae.
The remaining bone marrow aspiration is combined with the Ossimend™. This is also placed along the transverse processes to assist in the fusion.
Other products used (not for fusion)
Vitagel™- Vitagel is a surgical hemostat which controls bleeding and facilitates healing. It utilizes the patient's own plasma (from the blood) which contains fibrinogen and platelets to inhibit bleeding. It is resorbed by the body in approximately 30 days.
<< BACK TO SPINE SURGICAL INFORMATION