Clinical Evaluation of Mineralized Collagen as a Bone Graft Substitute for Anterior Cervical Intersomatic Fusion

Abstract

Although autograft is a routine procedure in anterior interbody fusion of the cervical spine, donor site morbidity is a significant problem. Many bone grafting materials developed such as allograft bone, demineralized bone matrix (DBM), and synthetic implants were used to repair bony defects; however, each has its specific disadvantage. Therefore, alternative materials for autogenous bone in grafting are needed. Ninety-one patients with symptomatic cervical disc diseases were randomly allocated for either autologous iliac crest bone graft (AIG) or mineralized collagen (MC). Clinical and radiological comparisons were performed for the two groups. Patients were followed-up routinely in the outpatient clinic, where clinical and radiological evaluations were taken. The mean operation time to perform AIG and MC was 194 ± 37 and 121 ± 26 minutes, respectively. The mean volume of blood loss during the operation was 140 ± 41 and 79 ± 25 mL for AIG and MC, respectively. The mean length of hospitalization due to AIG and MC was 97 ± 07 and 59 ± 08 days, respectively. The clinical outcomes were identical, and fusion rates were similar between the two groups. This study shows effective results of MC in anterior cervical intersomatic fusion. MC may be a promising substitute for autologous iliac crest bone graft.