The article authors requested information on rhBMP-2 use in surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis on the fusion technique, geographic location, specialty and associated practice models. The researchers found:
1. There are 7.8 percent of surgeons using rhBMP-2 when performing open L4-L5 posterolateral fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis. For open L4-L5 interbody fusion, 6.2 percent of surgeons use rhBMP-2.
2. For minimally invasive interbody fusion at L4-L5, 12.1 percent of surgeons used rhBMP-2.
3. There has been a dramatic decrease in the number of surgeons performing lumbar fusion with rhBMP-2 for degenerative spondylolisthesis, but is more commonly used in minimally invasive procedures in North America than other countries. The decrease was likely due to more widespread awareness of potential complication and increased costs associated with rhBMP-2.
4. Similar percentages of surgeons reported using rhBMP-2 in North America as with the rest of the world for posterolateral fusions or open interbody fusions.
5. The surgeons responding to the surveys reported the most important reasons for not using rhBMP-2 was the cost and associated complications. However, North American surgeons ranked complications associated with the procedures as the most important reason, with cost as the second most important factor.
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