AUTHOR=Griffoni Cristiana , Tedesco Giuseppe , Canella Valentina , Nataloni Angelo , Zerbi Alberto , Tosini Giovanni , Gasbarrini Alessandro , Barbanti-Brodano Giovanni 

TITLE=Ceramic bone graft substitute (Mg-HA) in spinal fusion: A prospective pilot study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2022.1050495

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2022.1050495

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=Background: Iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is considered the gold standard for spine surgical procedures to achieve a successful fusion due to its known osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. However, complications related to harvesting procedure and donor site morbidity have been largely reported in literature, favouring the development of a wide range of alternative products to be used as bone graft extenders or substitutes for spine fusion. Among all, ceramic-based biomaterials have been widely studied and employed in the last years as bone graft substitutes. 
Methods: We report here the results of a prospective pilot study aimed to evaluating the grade of ossification obtained by the use of an Mg-doped hydroxyapatite (HA) product to achieve postero-lateral fusion in degenerative spine diseases.
Results: Results show a successful degree of fusion of about 62% at 12 months follow-up and an improvement of quality of life and health status following surgery, as evaluated by clinical scores (ODI, VAS and EQ-5L). No adverse events related to the material were reported. 
Conclusions: The present pilot study shows the effectiveness and the safety profile of a Mg-doped HA bone graft substitute used to achieve postero-lateral fusion in the treatment of degenerative spine diseases, laying down the basis for further, larger clinical investigations.