In a recent retrospective study published in Spine, researchers analyzed the rate of infection seen in vertebral fusion patients that received irradiated cancellous allograft or iliac crest bone autograft. Of 338 vertebral fusion patients, 164 allografts and 174 autografts were used. Of the 164 allograft patients, 53 perioperative cultures were taken. Only 9.4 percent of the cultures tested positive. One year after irradiated allograft or autograph use the infection rate was 1.8 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.
The study concluded the risk of infection is not high enough or supported by enough scientific evidence to influence spine surgeons' bone graft decisions.
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The study concluded the risk of infection is not high enough or supported by enough scientific evidence to influence spine surgeons' bone graft decisions.
More Articles on Spine:
5 Statistics on Medicare Beneficiary Readmissions After Spine Surgery for Stenosis
10 Big Healthcare Policy Trends for Spine Surgeons to Know
Orthopaedic & Spine Institute Establishes Children's Ward