Radiographic evaluation of bioactive glass-ceramic grafts in postero-lateral lumbar fusion

STUDY DESIGN: Follow-up study of bioactive glass-ceramic graft for postero-lateral fusion (PLF) in the lumbar spine was performed using plain radiography. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the fusion state of the porous stick type of bioactive glass-ceramic which has been used in PLF in the lumbar spine, by plain radiography, and to evaluate the usefulness of this technique. METHODS: Fourteen patients who underwent PLF using apatite and wollastonite-containing glass-ceramic (A-W. GC) were followed-up for more than 1 year and 6 months by plain radiography. RESULTS: Six patients who were followed up for more than 2 years were considered to have obtained subtotal or total fusion. CONCLUSION: PLF using A-W. GC mixed with autologous grafted bone can preserve bone stock without the need to harvest a bone graft from the iliac crest and will be useful for PLF in the lumbar spine.