Thanks for posting this interesting article.
The 22% figure for late onset radiculopathy in the BMP group is very worrying. It’s the worst figure I’ve seen regarding complications relating to BMP use in lumbar fusions and if taken at face value must seriously call into question the current increasing use of BMP. When I questioned one surgeon regarding this issue he stated that in his opinion a lot of problems with BMP are caused by surgeon error – by which I suppose he meant incorrect placement of the BMP within the prepared disc space. I suppose it makes sense that if the majority of the BMP material is packed to the front of the disc space then the risk of overgrowth is minimised. My understanding is probably oversimplified but it would be nice if more data were available to fully understand the level of complications associated with BMP.
The hydrocision apparatus sounds very promising – how long has it been around and how established is it’s usage in current operating theatres?
All the best
Tim
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Laminectomy + decompression L3-S1 - 1988.
ADR Dr Zeegers - Charite L5/S1 and L3/4 - 2003
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