Technique for obtaining iliac bone graft for anterior cervical fusion

1974 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice W. Nicholson

✓ Modifications in the operative technique for removing bone dowels from the iliac crest for anterior cervical interbody fusion are described. The technique has been successful in alleviating hip pain following graft removal.

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Kandziora ◽  
Georg Schollmeier ◽  
Matti Scholz ◽  
Jan Schaefer ◽  
Alexandra Scholz ◽  
...  

Object. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of interbody fusion achieved using an autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft with those of a cylinder- and a box-design cage in a sheep cervical spine model. This study was designed to determine whether there are differences between three interbody fusion procedures in: 1) ability to preserve postoperative distraction; 2) biomechanical stability; and 3) histological characteristics of intervertebral bone matrix formation. Methods. Twenty-four sheep underwent C3–4 discectomy and fusion in which the following were used: Group 1, autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft (eight sheep); Group 2, titanium cylinder-design cage filled with autologous iliac crest bone graft (eight sheep); and Group 3, titanium box-design cage filled with autologous iliac crest graft (eight sheep). Radiography was performed pre- and postoperatively and after 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At the same time points, disc space height, intervertebral angle, and lordosis angle were measured. After 12 weeks, the sheep were killed, and fusion sites were evaluated by obtaining functional radiographs in flexion and extension. Quantitative computerized tomography scans were acquired to assess bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and bone callus volume. Biomechanical testing was performed in flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. Stiffness, range of motion, neutral zone, and elastic zone were determined. Histomorphological and histomorphometric analyses were performed, and polychrome sequential labeling was used to determine the time frame of new bone formation. Over a 12-week period significantly higher values for disc space height and intervertebral angle were shown in cage-treated sheep than in those that received bone graft. Functional radiographic assessment revealed significantly lower residual flexion—extension movement in sheep with the cylinder cage-fixed spines than in those that received bone graft group. The cylinder—design cages showed significantly higher values for bone mineral content, bone callus content, and stiffness in axial rotation and lateral bending than the other cages or grafts. Histomorphometric evaluation and polychrome sequential labeling showed a more progressed bone matrix formation in the cylindrical cage group than in both other groups. Conclusions. Compared with the tricortical bone graft, both cages showed significantly better distractive properties. The cylindrical cage demonstrated a significantly higher biomechanical stiffness and an accelerated interbody fusion compared with the box-design cage and the tricortical bone graft. The differences in bone matrix formation within both cages were the result of the significantly lower stress shielding on the bone graft by the cylinder-design cage.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Sawin ◽  
Vincent C. Traynelis ◽  
Arnold H. Menezes

Object. Autogeneic bone graft is often incorporated into posterior cervical stabilization constructs as a fusion substrate. Iliac crest is used frequently, although donor-site morbidity can be substantial. Rib is used rarely, despite its accessibility, expandability, unique curvature, and high bone morphogenetic protein content. The authors present a comparative analysis of autogeneic rib and iliac crest bone grafts, with emphasis on fusion rate and donor-site morbidity. Methods. A review was conducted of records and radiographs from 600 patients who underwent cervical spinal fusion procedures in which autogeneic bone grafts were used. Three hundred patients underwent rib harvest and posterior cervical fusion. The remaining 300 patients underwent iliac crest harvest (248 for an anterior cervical fusion and 52 for posterior fusion). The analysis of fusion focused on the latter subgroup; donor-site morbidity was determined by evaluating the entire group. Fusion criteria included bony trabeculae traversing the donor—recipient interface and long-term stability on flexion—extension radiographs. Graft morbidity was defined as any untoward event attributable to the graft harvest. Statistical comparisons were facilitated by using Fisher's exact test. Conclusions. Demographic data obtained in both groups were comparable. Rib constructs were placed in the following regions: occipitocervical (196 patients), atlantoaxial (35 patients), and subaxial cervical spine (69 patients). Iliac crest grafts were placed in the occipitocervical (28 patients), atlantoaxial (10 patients), and subaxial cervical (14 patients) regions. Fusion occurred in 296 (98.8%) of 300 rib graft and 49 (94.2%) of 52 iliac crest graft constructs (p = 0.056). Graft morbidity was greater with iliac crest than with rib (p < 0.00001). Donor-site morbidity for the rib graft was 3.7% and included pneumonia (eight patients), persistent atelectasis (two patients), and superficial wound dehiscence (one patient). Pneumothorax, intercostal neuralgia, and chronic chest wall pain were not encountered. Iliac crest morbidity occurred in 25.3% of the patients and consisted of chronic donor-site pain (52 patients), wound dehiscence (eight patients), pneumonia (seven patients), meralgia paresthetica (four patients), hematoma requiring evacuation (three patients), and iliac spine fracture (two patients). Even when chronic pain was not considered, morbidity encountered in obtaining iliac crest still exceeded that encountered with rib harvest (p = 0.035). The fusion rate and donor-site morbidity for rib autograft compare favorably with those for iliac crest when used in posterior cervical constructs. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the largest series to date in which the safety and efficacy of using autogeneic bone graft materials in spinal surgery are critically analyzed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Chou ◽  
Phillip B. Storm ◽  
James N. Campbell

Object. Autologous bone graft harvesting from the iliac crest remains the gold standard for fusion surgery. One disadvantage of autologous bone harvesting is the patient's enduring postoperative pain at the donor site. Nerve injury is one of the postulated mechanisms that may account for this pain. The object of this study was to determine whether the lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve is vulnerable to injury in the process of obtaining grafts from the anterior iliac crest. Methods. Anatomical dissections were performed on 10 cadaveric specimens to ascertain the size of the T-12 subcostal nerve and its position in relation to the iliac crest. Conclusions. The lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve may lie as close as 6 cm from the anterior superior iliac spine. This nerve is very vulnerable to injury when harvesting bone from the anterior iliac crest. Knowledge of the anatomy may decrease the risk of injury to this nerve.


1976 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Hakuba

✓ A series of 40 patients with degenerative discopathy was effectively treated by means of a trans-unco-discal approach, which is a combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs. Interbody fusion is not performed except for special cases such as significant kyphosis and unstable cervical spine. Twenty patients who had this approach without interbody bone graft have been followed clinically and radiographically for 9 to 36 months. The author describes the surgical technique, complications, and results.


1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randolph C. Bishop ◽  
Karen A. Moore ◽  
Mark N. Hadley

✓ The authors conducted a prospective study of 132 patients requiring interbody fusion without instrumentation following anterior cervical discectomy to compare the efficacy of tricortical iliac crest allograft versus autograft fusion substrates. The objectives of the study were to assess the potential differences in interspace collapse, angulation, maintenance of cervical alignment and lordosis, and clinical and radiographic fusion success rates between the two fusion substrates. The impact of habitual cigarette smoking on fusion rates was also examined. Autograft tricortical iliac crest bone was found to be superior to allograft bone as an interbody fusion substrate after both single- and multiple-level anterior cervical decompression procedures with respect to maintenance of cervical interspace height, interspace angulation, and radiographic and clinical fusion success rates. Cigarette consumption had a significant adverse effect on successful anterior cervical interbody fusion for both autograft and allograft substrate, an effect that was most pronounced among smokers treated with allograft bone (p = 0.004).


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Hacker

Object. Despite variations in technique, inherent problems persist with current approaches to anterior cervical fusion. This study was performed to determine whether anterior cervical fusion performed using an investigational device was safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disorders and whether this device offered advantages over current techniques. Methods. Fifty-four patients with radiculopathy with or without mild myelopathy due to one- or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease were randomized as part of a Food and Drug Administration device study. Following microsurgical discectomy, the control group was treated with iliac crest graft fusion; the experimental study group underwent insertion of an interspace cage and placement of a local autograft. All patients received postoperative follow-up care for at least 2 years. Good or excellent results were found in approximately 97% of the experimental group and 88% of the control group. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent one-level cage placement, and a solid fusion at one or both levels was achieved in over 90% of both groups. Chronic donor site pain was reported by 31% of the control group. Conclusions. In this study, the use of an interbody fusion cage avoided donor site morbidity and placement of autograft achieved a high rate of good or excellent results. Interbody fusion cages appear safe and effective, and their use helps to avoid some of the inherent problems in performing current anterior cervical fusion techniques.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-794
Author(s):  
Lennart Brandt ◽  
Bengt Ljunggren

✓ The authors describe a new instrument for placement of bone dowels in procedures for anterior cervical interbody fusion.


2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushik Das ◽  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
Gerard Sava ◽  
Rudolph F. Tadonio

✓ After performing anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy for cervical spondolytic myelopathy or radiculopathy, iliac crest bone graft and fibular auto- or allograft is often used to achieve arthrodesis in the cervical spine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a cylindrical titanium mesh and locking plate system as an alternative technique in achieving anterior cervical fusion and maintaining lordosis. Hospital records and radiographs of 38 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomies (28 patients) or corpectomies (10 patients) from 1995 to 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients had undergone arthrodesis in which autograft and a cylindrical titanium mesh and anterior locking plate fixation were used after discectomy or corpectomy. There were 20 men and 18 women (mean age 46.1 years; range 34–72 years). Presenting symptoms included radiculopathy (61%), myelopathy (37%), and neck pain (2%). Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were studied, and data were obtained on the following: overall lordosis or kyphosis of the cervical spine, segmental lordosis or kyphosis at each surgically treated level, and evidence of fusion. In all of the patients in whom lordosis was present preoperatively, lordosis was maintained during the follow-up period. The overall fusion rate was 100%. The average change in overall lordosis or kyphosis related to the fixation devices was 1.2° (range 1–5°); the average segmental change was 2.3° (range 0–5°); and the mean follow up was 16 months (range 12–36 months). Anterior cervical fusion with cylindrical titanium mesh and cervical locking plate system is an effective method of achieving arthrodesis and maintaining alignment in the cervical spine. The construct may provide additional load-sharing function, and it avoids the use of cadaveric bone or the need for harvesting tricortical iliac crest autograft.


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Reale ◽  
Domenico Gambacorta ◽  
Giorgio Mencattini

✓ A case is reported in which the iliac crest fractured following removal of two bone plugs. The plugs had been removed for use in a double cervical vertebral body fusion operation by the method of Cloward.


1978 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arden F. Reynolds ◽  
Paul T. Turner ◽  
John D. Loeser

✓ A case is presented in which fracture of the right anterior superior iliac spine occurred 2 weeks after the right iliac crest had been used as the donor site for a two-level anterior discectomy and fusion.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document