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World J Orthop. Jan 18, 2014; 5(1): 30-37
Published online Jan 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i1.30
Use of demineralized bone matrix in spinal fusion
Konstantinos Tilkeridis, Athanasios Ververidis, Sotirios Christodoulou, Konstantinos Kazakos, Georgios I Drosos, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Panagiotis Touzopoulos, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, General Hospital of Komotini, 69100 Komotini, Greece
Author contributions: Tilkeridis K, Touzopoulos P and Drosos GI contributed to conception and design of the study, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; Tilkeridis K, Touzopoulos P, Ververidis A and Christodoulou S contributed to drafting the article; Drosos GI, Ververidis A and Kazakos K contributed to revising the article; all the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Georgios I Drosos, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, Farm Nea Makri, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. drosos@otenet.gr
Telephone: +30-69-44380694 Fax: +30-25-51030339
Received: June 28, 2013
Revised: September 27, 2013
Accepted: November 1, 2013
Published online: January 18, 2014
Processing time: 206 Days and 8.8 Hours

Abstract

Spinal fusion remains the gold-standard treatment for several pathological spine conditions. Although, autologous Iliac Crest Bone Grafting is considered the gold-standard graft choice to promote spinal fusion; however, it is associated with significant donor site morbidity and a limited graft quantity. Therefore, several bone graft alternatives have been developed, to augment arthrodesis. The purpose of this review is to present the results of clinical studies concerning the use of demineralized bone matrix (DBM), alone or as a composite graft, in the spinal fusion. A critical review of the English-language literature was conducted on Pubmed, using key word “demineralized bone matrix”, “DBM”, “spinal fusion”, and “scoliosis”. Results had been restricted to clinical studies. The majority of clinical trials demonstrate satisfactory fusion rates when DBM is employed as a graft extender or a graft enhancer. Limited number of prospective randomized controlled trials (4 studies), have been performed comparing DBM to autologous iliac crest bone graft in spine fusion. The majority of the clinical trials demonstrate comparable efficacy of DBM when it used as a graft extender in combination with autograft, but there is no clinical evidence to support its use as a standalone graft material. Additionally, high level of evidence studies are required, in order to optimize and clarify the indications of its use and the appropriate patient population that will benefit from DBM in spine arthrodesis.

Key Words: Bone grafts; Demineralized bone matrix; Spinal fusion; Scoliosis

Core tip: It is widely accepted that autologous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is considered the gold-standard for spinal fusion surgery, although it is associated with a series of complications and a morbidity rate. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) could be successfully used as a potential graft extender, enhancer or substitute. Spinal surgeons can take advance of DBMs osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity and achieve good results in spinal fusion, with a significantly lower complication rate and results similar to these of ICBG. The most significant drawbacks to DBM may be the difference between and within products so, it is important the surgeon to remain updated of the product properties to optimize the successful use of DBM, and the fact that it is not useful as a structural graft material because of its amorphous consistency, so it has to be used in combination with other type of grafts or scaffolds increasing the cost.



INTRODUCTION

Spinal fusion remains the gold-standard treatment for several pathological spine conditions, such as; spine trauma, tumors, degenerative disorders, and discogenic back pain. It is estimated that the number of spinal fusions performed in the United States, could be greater than 200000 per annum, with the majority of these being lumbar fusions[1,2]. Although spinal fusion is a widely accepted successful procedure, offering acceptable clinical results, pseudarthrosis following spine surgery remains a major clinical challenge. Rates of pseudarthrosis have been reported to be as high as 48% in posterolateral inter-transverse process lumbar fusions[3], with an increasing risk in multi-level fusions.

The high rate of non-union necessitates the use of various bone graft materials and substitutes, ceramics, and augmentation with growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). It is widely accepted that autologous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is considered the gold-standard for spinal fusion surgery[4-7].

ICBG demonstrates a reliably high fusion rate, and additionally, being autologous, does not carry the risk of rejection or disease transmission[8].

However, harvesting bone from the iliac crest is associated with a series of complications and a morbidity rate[9], that have made spine surgeons to employ alternatives to ICBG such as bone graft substitutes or extenders[10-20]. Ideally these bone graft substitutes or extenders should have both osteoinductive and osteoconductive characteristics, in order to promote comparable fusion rates to autologous bone graft.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is bone that has been acid treated to have the mineralized portion removed while maintaining the organic matrix and growth factors. Approximately 93% of DBM consists of collagen, whereas only 5% consists of other growth factors, a fraction of which are BMPs. It is weakly osteoconductive because the organic portions of bone, such as collagen, remain. The small quantity of BMPs provides osteoinductive capabilities[21-26] as well, but has no osteogenic capacity because of its processing. Osteoinductivity may be variable within a single manufacturer’s product and between manufacturers, because the osteoinductive capacity of DBM can be affected by storage, demineralization process, washing procedure, sterilization method and the source of the bone, which depends on the individual donor and the site of harvest[27-33]. DBM has no immunological rejection as the antigenic surface structure of the bone is destroyed during demineralization by acid[34], but, in the other hand, various studies have shown that any allograft bone can induce host immune responses[35-38] despite its processing. Unfortunately, there are no studies, referred whether available DBM products could differ in immunogenicity issues, or whether immunogenicity issues would influence the osteoconductive and osteoinductive potentials of DBM.

Since DBM was found to be effective and safe as an option of bone grafting, it has been used to induce bone formation in various clinical applications.

The purpose of this review is to present the results of clinical studies concerning the use of DBM, alone or as a composite graft, in the spinal fusion, and the Grades of Recommendation[39] of use of DBM in different situations, like cervical fusion, lumbar fusion and at the treatment of scoliosis.

LITERATURE RESEARCH

A critical review of the English-language literature was conducted on MEDLINE using Pubmed. Various combinations of search key and MeSH terms including “demineralized bone matrix”, “DBM”, “spinal fusion”, “scoliosis” and “cervical spine fusion” were employed to generate a broad literature base. The two senior authors K.T and D.G conducted the search independently, and there were not any discrepancies in their findings. Results had been restricted to clinical studies in English language. Abstracts, supplements, editorials, correspondence, book reviews, and articles on aspects of DBM unrelated to efficacy and outcome were excluded. Clinical studies of use of DBM in non-spinal surgery were excluded as well. Papers that were included were full-length original research articles in peer-reviewed journals that investigated fusion efficacy. The Grades of Recommendation and the levels of evidences (LOEs) are presented. The Oxford centre for evidence based medicine classification is used in order to classify LOEs of individual studies[40]. Clinical studies, authors, and their main outcomes presented in Table 1, and described by category of use.

Table 1 Clinical studies of demineralized bone matrix used in spinal fusion.
Ref.Study designDiagnosis/proceduresType of graftMain outcomesLevel of evidence
Cervical spine
An et al[48]2-Center randomized prospective control trialPatients undergone anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disc disease, n = 77Freeze-dried allograft augmented with DBM (Grafton®), n = 39. Iliac Crest Autograft, n = 38Pseudarthrosis rate was 46.2% in DBM-allograft Group vs 26.3% in autograft group, but with no significant differences. Graft collapse ≥ 2 mm occurred in 39.7% in DBM-allograft group than 24.4% in autograft group (P = 0.09)II
Vaidya et al[49]Retrospective comparative studyPatients treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, n = 46PEEK cages + morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), n = 22 Allograft spacers + DBM, n = 24No significant difference in pain scores between groups. Probable fusion at latest follow up in 23/24 of DBM group vs 22/22 in rhBMP-2 group. 85% of rhBMP-2 and 56% of DBM reported difficulty in swallowing. The cost of implants in patients treated with rhBMP-2 and PEEK spacers was more than three times the cost of the other groupIII
Park et al[52]Prospective, case series studyPatients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusionPEEK cages and DBM (Grafton®), n = 3197% fusion rate (41/42 levels), neck and arm pain improved after surgery and significanly improved in 12/12 follow-up, P < 0.05IV
Topuz et al[50]Retrospective, case series studyPatients underwent 2-level contiguousanterior cervical discectomy and fusionPEEK cages and DBM (Grafton®) and autologous blood, n = 7987.3% "excellent" and "good" clinical outcomes, final fusion rate 91.7% (145/158 levels)IV
Moon et al[51]Retrospective case seriesPatients undergone 2-level, non-instrumented cervical fusion for degenerative disk disease, n = 27 (54 levels)PEEK cages and DBMFusion rate was 88.9% of levels. All patients showed improvements in clinical outcomes (VAS score, neurologic pain and JOA myelopathy score)IV
Demircan et al[53]Prospective case seriesPatients undergone non-instrumented anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disk disease, n = 16 (42 levels)Polyetheretherketone cages packed with autologous blood, curettage microchip material, and DBM (Grafton®)Fusion rate was 90.5% of levels, at 18 mo after surgery with improved clinical outcomes using JOA score (P = 0.004)IV
Lumbar spine
Kang et al[54]Prospective multicenter randomized clinical trailPatients undergoing single-level posterior lumbar fusionDBM (Grafton®) + local bone, n = 30. Autologous iliac crest bone graft, n = 16Fusion rates were 86% (Grafton®) vs 92% (autologous graft). Grafton showed consistently higher physical function scores at 24 mo. There was a greater mean intraoperative blood loss in the autologous group.I
Cammisa et al[3]Prospective multicenter control trialPatients undergone posterolateral lumbar, instrumented fusion, n = 120Iliac Crest Autograft on one side DBM (Grafton®) + Iliac crest autograft on contralateral side of same patientRadiographic fusion rates at 24 mo after surgery in Grafton DBM side was 52% and in Iliac Crest Bone Autograft side was 54%II
Vaccaro et al[55]Prospective, comparative studyPatients undergone instrumented posterolateral lumbosacral spinal fusionDBM (Grafton®) + Bone Marrow, n = 19, DBM + Iliac crest autograft, n = 27 Autograft, n = 27Fusion rates were 63% with DBM + Bone Marrow, 70% DBM + autograft and 67% with autograftIII
Sassard et al[56]Retrospective comparative studyInstrumented posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion with rigid pedicle screw fixation (n = 108)Iliac crest bone graft (n = 52). Local autograft-Grafton® (n = 56)Fusion rates at 24 mo after surgery: In Iliac crest bone graft group: 56% and in local autograft-Grafton group: 60%III
Schizas et al[57]Retrospective case control studyPatients undergone posterolateral, one or two-level, instrumented, lumbar fusion, n = 59 (78 levels)DBM (Accell Connexus® putty) with Iliac crest autograft or local decompression material, n = 33. Iliac crest autograft or local decompression material, n = 26Fusion rate was 69.7% with DBM vs 76.9% without DBM. There were no differences in complication rates, ODI or VAS pain scoreIII
Epstein et al[58]Prospective, clinical studyPatients undergone multilevel lumbar laminectomies, 1-level (n = 95) and 2-levels (n = 45)Lamina autograft + DBM (Osteofil), n = 1401-level fusion rates: 98%, 2-levels fusion rates: 96%. Revealed essentially comparable outcomes on 6 of 8 Health Scales of SF-36IV
Thalgott et al[61]Prospective case series studyPatients undergone lumbar interbody fusion (n = 50)Titanium mesh cages filled with coralline hydroxyapatite (ProOsteon™ 500R) and DBM (Grafton®)96% fusion rate, decrease in mean pain scores by 60% from baselineIV
Girardi et al[60]Retrospective case series studyInstrumented lumbar spinal fusion for various diagnoses (n = 65)Combination of autologous bone graft and allograft DBM (AlloMatrix® Injectable Putty)Gradual and constant improvement based on radiographic measurements taken 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo after surgeryIV
Thalgott et al[62]Retrospective case seriesPatients undergone instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion, n = 40Coralline hydroxyapatite (Pro Osteon™ 500) + DBM (Grafton®), n = 28 Pro Osteon™ 500 alone, n = 12Radiographic fusion rates was 100% with coralline hydroxyapatite alone, than 89.3% with Grafton added.IV
Epstein[59]Prospective case seriesGeriatric patients undergone posterolateral non-instrumented lumbar fusion, n = 75Lamina autograft mixed with DBM (Osteofil) in 1:1 ratioFusion rate was 82.7% of levels. Improved clinical outcomes using SF-36 score.IV
Idiopathic scoliosis
Weinzapfel et al[63]Retrospective comparative studyAnterior thoracic discectomies with video Assisted thoracoscopic surgery in idiopathic scoliosisMorselized allograft bone, n = 12. DBM (Grafton®), n = 28Curve correction was similar for both groups (68% vs 67%). Radiological fusion fusion: 82% in allograft group vs 92% in DBM groupIII

Requirements of extensive bone grafting in spinal fusion and the subsequent morbidity of the donor site, are making iliac crest not the most accessible option for graft harvesting. This fact leads the spinal surgeons to employ different type of bone graft substitutes in order to cover their needs.

DBM has, performed successfully in long bones operative procedures requiring bone grafts, such as repairing segmental defects[41-44]. However, there are limited clinical data to support the efficacy of any DBMs in spinal arthrodesis.

The literature has supported the use of DBM as a potential graft extender, enhancer or substitute, but there was no clinical evidence to support its use as a standalone graft material. On top of that there are studies that demonstrate, that in younger and healthier patients, use of DBM may be unnecessary, since harvesting autograft from local sources, like laminae and spinous processes after destruction of facet joints and decortication, shows excellent results and a fusion rate of 94% without implant failure, infection or loss of correction[45]. It seems that spinal surgeons can take advance of DBMs osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity and achieve good results in spinal fusion but unfortunately, it is not useful as a structural graft material because of its amorphous consistency which is a draw back, since in has to be used in combination with other type of grafts or scaffolds which increases the cost.

The most significant drawback to DBM may be the difference between and within products. The osteoinductive potential of DBM may be variable within a single manufacturer’s product and among manufacturers, because the osteoinductive capacity of DBM can be affected by storage, demineralization process, washing procedure, sterilization method and the source of the bone, which depends on the individual donor and the site of harvest and affects the quantity and type of BMPs preserved. There are numerous DBM composites in many forms, from gels, pastes, putties, and sheets available currently for clinical use.

Bae et al[27] have pointed out that the variability of BMP concentrations among different lots of the same DBM formulation was higher than the inter-product variability or concentrations of BMP among different DBM formulations.

Another important factor that could influence efficacy of DBMs is the choice of the carrier. As opposed to the neutral pH of hyaluronic acid (DBX) carriers, negative effects have been observed in relation to the use of glycerol carriers (Grafton), which generate a highly acidic environment for host tissues, especially when used in large quantities at the fusion site[46]. Moreover, the amount of DBM applied does not necessarily correlate with outcomes and efficacy as demineralization process, and sterilization method can also affect osteoinductivity, as mentioned before[21,47]. It is important the surgeon to remain updated of the product properties to optimize the successful use of DBM.

DBM USED IN CERVICAL FUSION

There are a few clinical trials in literature, which evaluated the use of DBM in fusion in cervical spine. In one of the first reports, An et al[48] in a two-center prospective randomized controlled clinical trial (Level 2), found that freeze-dried allograft with DBM (Grafton®) mixed, shown higher nonunion and graft collapse rates than iliac crest autograft. Thirty-nine patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disc disease had randomly selected to take freeze-dried allograft augmented with DBM (Grafton®), while 38 patients took autologous ICBG. Pseudarthrosis developed in 33.3% of levels (46.2% of patients) in the allograft-DBM group, than 22% of levels (26.3% of patients) in autograft group, but with no significant difference between groups (P = 0.23). In addition, graft collapse > 2 mm occurred in 39.7% of the allograft-DBM group compared with 24.4% of the autograft group (P = 0.09). Authors suggested the use of autograft in cervical fusion for better outcomes.

In a level 3 study, Vaidya et al[49], evaluated the use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages and morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) against allograft spacers and DBM, in patients treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. There were no significant differences in pain scores between groups. Probable fusion occurred in 23 of 24 patients of DBM group vs 22 of 22 patients in rhBMP-2 group. 85% of patients in rhBMP-2 group and 56% of patients in DBM group reported difficulty in swallowing. The cost of implants in patients treated with rhBMP-2 and PEEK spacers was more than three times the cost of the other group. Authors concluded that despite providing good fusion rates, they have abandoned using rhBMP-2 and PEEK cages for anterior cervical fusion, due to the side effects, high cost, and the availability of a suitable alternative.

There are also 4 series of patients in literature, which studied the use of PEEK cages and DBM (Grafton®) in patients treated with cervical discectomy and fusion. Topuz et al[50] used PEEK cages packed with Grafton® DBM and autologous blood in 79 patients, who underwent 2-levels contiguous anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Authors found “excellent” and “good” clinical results in 87.3% of patients, while final fusion had occurred in 145 of 158 levels (91.7%). In a same case series study, Moon et al[51] used PEEK cages packed with DBM, and found that fusion rate was 88.9% of levels. All patients had clinical improvement using visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neurological pain and Japanese-orthopaedic-association (JOA) myelopathy score. Park et al[52] also found high fusion rate, up to 97% using same methods in a prospective case series study. Similar main outcomes, found Demircan et al[53] in a case series of patients undergone non-instrumented anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disc disease. Authors used PEEK cages packed with Grafton®, autologous blood and curettage microchip material. Fusion rate was 90.5% with patients had improved clinical outcomes using JOA score (P = 0.004).

USE OF DBM IN LUMBAR FUSION

Despite the few published clinical trials about the use of DBM in cervical fusion, there are a few more about lumbar fusion. There are two level 1 and 2, three level 3 and five level 4 available clinical trials, since the preparation of this manuscript.

In a prospective multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial, Kang et al[54] reported the efficacy of a commercial DBM graft (Grafton®) compared with iliac crest autograft in patients undergone single-level posterior lumbar fusion. In this study 46 patients were randomly assigned to receive Grafton DBM Matrix with local bone (30 patients) or autologous ICBG (16 patients). Fifty-one patients completed the 2-year follow-up. Fusion rates were 86% for Grafton group than 92% for autologous group. Grafton showed consistently higher physical function scores at 24 mo, but this was not significant. There was a significant greater mean intraoperative blood loss in the autologous group (P = 0.0031). Authors concluded that fusion rate and improvement in clinical outcomes of use of Grafton in lumbar fusion were comparable with those in iliac crest autograft group.

Cammisa et al[3] investigated whether Grafton® might be able to serve the function of an autograft extender, in 120 patients undergone posterolateral instrumented lumbar fusion. In this level 2 study, Iliac crest autograft was implanted on one side of the spine and a Grafton® DBM and autograft composite was implanted on the contralateral side in the same patient. After 24-mo follow-up, Radiographic fusion rates in Grafton DBM side was 52% and in Iliac Crest Bone Autograft side was 54%, while overall percentage agreement for fusion status between sides was approximately 75% (P < 0.001). These results suggested that Grafton DBM gel in combination with autologous bone can provide a similar rate of successful fusion as autograft alone.

In a prospective series, Vaccaro et al[55] evaluated patients undergone instrumented posterolateral lumbosacral spinal fusion. Nineteen patients had supplemental bone grafting with DBM putty (Grafton®; Osteotech, Eatontown, NJ) enriched with aspirated bone marrow, 27 patients DBM putty combined with iliac crest autograft, and 27 patients had autograft. Fusion rate at 24 mo after surgery were 63% of levels in DBM and bone marrow group, 70% of levels in DBM and iliac crest group and 67% in ICBG group. Findings suggest that both DBM composites offer similar performance to autograft in posterolateral spinal fusion.

Sassard et al[56], in a level 3 clinical trial, examined the fusion rates of a local autograft-Grafton® construct against that of iliac crest autograft alone in one hundred and eight patients undergone instrumented posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion. Fusion rates were found not to vary between the two groups, with 60% in local autograft-DBM group and 56% in iliac crest autograft group. These findings prompted further evaluation of whether Grafton® might be able to serve as graft extender.

Schizas et al[57] found that DBM was useful as a graft extender for both local bone and ICBG. They compared 33 patients who had local bone or ICBG augmented with DBM with 26 patients who received ICBG or local bone alone, for posterolateral, one or two-level, instrumented, lumbar fusion. The groups were equivalent in radiographic fusion and clinical outcomes. Fusion rates were 69.7% with DBM augmented vs 76.9% without DBM. There were no differences in complication rates, oswestry disability index or VAS pain score.

There are also case series available in literature, which concluded that DBM is a useful graft extender for spinal fusions, when mixed with lamina autograft, or iliac crest autograft. Epstein et al[58] reported high fusion rates (1-level fusion rate: 98%, 2-levels fusion rate: 96%) in 140 patients undergone multilevel lumbar laminectomies and had lamina autograft augmented with DBM (Osteofil) as a graft for fusion. Radiographic followed by clinical outcomes. Same authors, reported similar results in geriatric patients undergone posterolateral non-instrumented lumbar fusion, with fusion rate up to 82.7% of levels and improved clinical outcomes, using SF-36 surveys[59]. Girardi et al[60], in a series of 65 patients who undergone instrumented spinal fusion for various diagnoses, reported a gradual and constant improvement based on radiographic measurements taken 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after surgery. Patients had combination of autologous bone graft and DBM (AlloMatrix® Injectable Putty).

Thalgott et al[61] retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and clinical results of 50 patients who had received titanium mesh cages filled with coralline hydroxyapatite (ProOsteon™ 500R) and DBM Grafton® preparation for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The authors reported a 96% fusion rate, alongside with a decrease in mean pain scores by 60% from baseline. In the other hand, there are conflicting results on the efficacy of DBM as a graft extender by the same authors, who found a higher rate of pseudarthrosis (10.7% vs 0%) with the use of Grafton® gel and coralline hydroxyapatite (Pro Osteon™ 500R) as compared with coralline hydroxyapatite alone in a retrospective study of 40 patients who underwent instrumented posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion[62].

DBM USED FOR TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS

Because of the extensive fusion requirements for correction of scoliosis, DBM can be an available alternative to iliac crest. Weinzapfel et al[63] compared retrospectively the fusion rates between allograft bone and Grafton DBM Flex in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Forty patients with 1 year or more follow-up were evaluated-12 with morselized allograft bone and 28 with folded Grafton DBM Flex. Percent curve correction from before surgery to the most recent follow-up was very similar in both groups (68% in Allograft and 67% in DBM group). Sixty of 73 disc spaces (82%) in the Allograft group and 100 of 109 disc spaces (92%) in the DBM group were rated as radiographically fused.

CONCLUSION

This review demonstrates that DBM shows similar fusion rates with autologous bone graft in lumbar spine fusion, when used as a graft extender either with local autologous bone of ICBG. In addition in the only one level I study that was included in this review DBM group showed consistently higher physical function scores at 24 mo and there was a greater mean intraoperative blood loss in the autologous group.

Regarding use of DBM in cervical spine fusion, it is clear that when used as an extender with autologous bone graft in PEEK cages, shows good results, although in a level two study where Freeze-dried allograft augmented with DBM compared with ICBG, the autograft group showed superior non-union rates (Pseudarthrosis rate was 46.2% in DBM-allograft Group vs 26.3% in autograft group).

For correction of scoliosis due to the extensive fusion requirements DBM shows to be a reliable alternative to autograft, especially comparing with the use of other types of allografts.

Concluding, the majority of the clinical trials demonstrate comparable efficacy of DBM when it used as a graft extender in combination with autograft, but there is no clinical evidence to support its use as a standalone graft material. Additionally, studies of high methodological quality are required, in order to optimize and clarify the indications of its use and the appropriate patient population that will benefit from DBM in spine arthrodesis.

Footnotes

P- Reviewers: Erkan S, Kasai Y, Plaszewski M, Panchal R, Wang JC S- Editor: Song XX L- Editor: A E- Editor: Liu SQ

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